Cartell Car Checkhttps://www.cartell.ie
You find the car... We tell the storyMon, 21 Jan 2019 15:25:33 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.12103592851Residual Value – Do cars appreciate?https://www.cartell.ie/2019/01/cars-appreciate/
https://www.cartell.ie/2019/01/cars-appreciate/#respondMon, 21 Jan 2019 10:59:30 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=78911Do Cars Appreciate? The simple answer is Yes. Some cars do appreciate once they reach a certain stage in their lifetime, however, why is this and what cars increase in value as time goes on? Obviously, some vehicles will never lose value as they are limited one-off models that are intended to never see real […]

The simple answer is Yes. Some cars do appreciate once they reach a certain stage in their lifetime, however, why is this and what cars increase in value as time goes on?
Obviously, some vehicles will never lose value as they are limited one-off models that are intended to never see real roads but are destined to lie in a garage all their lifetime. Unfortunately, these cars are too high in value when new for any normal buyer to afford. So, do all cars that appreciate have crazy price tags when new?

No, some models are attainable by most buyers if they know what to look out for. Some key attributes to cars appreciating include (Fuel Type/Brand/Power-train/Power/Driving prowess/Style/limited run models).

Fuel type:

Most cars that are destined to appreciate are petrol powered. The main reason for this is that petrol responds quicker than diesel and, in many cases, sounds better, lending to a better driving experience and leading gently into driving prowess. This is not to say that diesel powered vehicles cannot appreciate. Look at some vehicles such as old Land Rover Defender’s that are now classics and have appreciated, proving diesels can also be popular classics that appreciate, however, petrol models tend to have greater chance of appreciating.

Brand:

Usually the premium and performance variants of mainstream brands are those that tend to appreciate more than others.

Power-train:

The power-train plays a vital role in the appreciating of the vehicle. Most vehicles that appreciate are those that are performance variants of normal models, usually high horsepower models with large cubic capacities and sound like amplified thunder are those that are expected to appreciate.

Style:

Stylish vehicles like coupe’s, sporty hatchbacks or elegant luxury vehicles are those that are most likely to appreciate. Cartell has been reviewing several vehicles that it thinks will appreciate over time. Here’s our Top 5:

1. MK2 Ford Focus RS

The Focus RS has halved in value since new, however, even with this it does not seem to be falling any further. Over the last six months the value has stayed stable at the €25k range with lower mileage models touching the €30K mark. Given that this vehicle was €45,000 new in 2010, it has not fallen a great deal since new and seems to be rising slowly since the introduction of the MK3 model in 2015. The MK2 Focus RS had a 2.5 litre 5 pot turbocharged petrol engine producing 300hp running through the front wheels and all fed back through a 6-speed manual transmission. The value of this vehicle could potentially increase sharply over a short period of time. This is one to look out for.

2. E46 BMW M3

The E46 M3 is considered one of the finest drivers’ cars ever made by the manufacturer. The E46 M3 had a 3.2 litre naturally aspirated inline six producing 343hp fed to the rear wheels, through either a manual or SMG (Semi manual gearbox). This model in coupe form with a manual gearbox, appears most popular among the car community. Cartell has been reviewing these models for some period and while they can now be picked up for 10-12K, in late 2017 the values were consistent at the €8K price point. This displays an increase of nearly €4,000 in just a year. If there was ever time to purchase one of these modern classics it would be now, if you can sustain the high insurance and tax costs.

3. Mazda RX-8

Mazda have recently announced that they will not be reintroducing the rotary power-train, most likely due to high running costs, unreliability and high emissions that come with the rotary way of life. Due to this, it’s predicted that this model will appreciate in time. These sports cars have reached an all-time low and can be picked up for less than €1,000 today. The RX-8 was and still is great to drive. Equipped with a manual gearbox and rear wheel drive, the RX-8 is sure to increase in value. Looking back at the RX-7, there was a point where it reached a low like the current RX-8, however, now they are worth nearly €20,000. If interested, the 07-10 model is recommended by the experts as they have less issues than the earlier models.

4. Renault Clio 182

Number 4 on this list of future modern classics is the Renault Clio 182. This tiny super-mini was light, quick and at €25,000 new was one of the cheapest hot hatchbacks available at the time. The 2.0 naturally aspirated motor produced 182hp…hence the title and weighting in at just north of 1000KG, this was a quick, quick car!! Renault then added another 182 to the range and called it the Cup trophy. It added new adjustable suspension improving handling, making this already quick car, a pocket rocket. Not many of these Clio’s were sold in Ireland during its 6-year production run, making this a rare modern classic. Expect to pay €2500-4000 today depending on condition. Due to these low volumes and the incredible driving experience offered by this little terrier. Prices are expected to rise quickly in the next couple of years.

5. Mazda 6 MPS

The second Mazda in the list, is not one that comes to mind straightaway. This model is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, having a 2.3 litre turbo petrol motor pushing 256hp and AWD, this is one for keen motorists. It sold in low volumes in Ireland due to its 2.3l motor falling into the €1494 tax category (per annum). This vehicle has ceased its depreciating and like the RX-8 above the value can only go one way. One in good condition would set you back €3,500 today. Also, the 2.3 Turbo is similar to that in the MK3 Focus RS and Eco boost Mustang, meaning they are good for more than 300hp when modified, although that is not advised.

Honorable mentions:

In a perfect world we can say that all named models will increase in value, in the next 5 years. However, there are numerous extenuating factors which make this nothing more than an assumption and educated guess. We won’t be the source of your future fortune, Sorry!

]]>https://www.cartell.ie/2019/01/cars-appreciate/feed/078911Finance Levels Rise Again – now 16.6%https://www.cartell.ie/2019/01/finance-levels-rise-now-16-6/
Wed, 09 Jan 2019 09:26:01 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=77251PRESS RELEASE Vehicle data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (January 9) that the proportion of vehicles offered for sale (across all years) with finance outstanding is at 16.61% – back to the highest levels Cartell.ie has ever recorded. This figure is up from 14.3% in December 2017 and 12.5% in July 2017. From a sample of […]

Vehicle data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (January 9) that the proportion of vehicles offered for sale (across all years) with finance outstanding is at 16.61% – back to the highest levels Cartell.ie has ever recorded. This figure is up from 14.3% in December 2017 and 12.5% in July 2017. From a sample of over 5,906 vehicles offered for sale and checked via the Cartell.ie website in 2018 it was found that overall levels of finance have increased 16.15% in 12 months since December 2017 and 75% since June 2016 when the rate recorded was 9.5%.

We have now returned to the highest levels ever recorded by Cartell.ie for vehicles offered for sale with outstanding finance. In December 2014 we saw levels of finance outstanding at 7%: so in 4 years the rate has more than doubled. A buyer is advised to check a vehicle for outstanding finance as the finance company owns the vehicle until the last payment has been made – the bottom line is that you can lose the vehicle.”

ENDS

About Cartell.ie: Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>77251NCT vs MOT – Are they the same?https://www.cartell.ie/2019/01/nct-vs-mot/
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 08:30:29 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=78311NCT vs MOT Due to the resurgence of UK imports into the Irish car market in recent years, vehicle data expert Cartell.ie decided to drill into the published statistics for the Irish NCT and UK equivalent MOT roadworthiness tests. To assess the Top 5 UK Imports into Ireland in 2018, based on their reliability and […]

Due to the resurgence of UK imports into the Irish car market in recent years, vehicle data expert Cartell.ie decided to drill into the published statistics for the Irish NCT and UK equivalent MOT roadworthiness tests. To assess the Top 5 UK Imports into Ireland in 2018, based on their reliability and performance in their inaugural test.

As it stands, UK imports represent roughly 24% of the entire Irish carpark, and the import drive shows no sign of slowing, with over 126,000 vehicles imported in 2018, which is an increase of nearly 6% compared to 2017. It will be an interesting comparison to see how each of the Top 5 UK Imports this year fared during their first NCT & MOT. How prevalent is the variance in pass standards?

Top 5

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has consistently been a beloved car among the Irish car market in terms of reliability and practicality, and with more than 112,000 on our roads at present. With the release of the popular new Golf in 2013, we are going to round up the stats and review its performance in its first roadworthiness test in Ireland and the UK.

The 2013 Volkswagen Golf tops our list with a first-time pass rate of 85.9% based on 4,516 tests in 2017. But what did they fail their NCT on and what should you keep an eye on for the next one?

4.8% of fails were on wheels & tyres, tread depth/tyre condition.

3.6% of fails were on Lighting & Electric, misaligned headlamps and blown bulbs would make up most of these statistics.

Meanwhile;
The UK equivalent MOT for a 2013 Focus scored an impressive 87.3% first time pass rate based on 86,234 tests.

5.0% failed on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment.

4.4% failed on Tyres

1.9% failed on Brakes

BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series has been a consistent class leader in the Irish premium segment, boasting a luxurious interior, robust engine and a luxurious driving experience. With a sharp increase in the number of BMW imports this year, the 5 Series ranks a solid third place on our list in terms of reliability in its first roadworthiness test. With the overall NCT pass rate for a 2013 5 Series clearing 83.3% based on 2,039 tests.

In the UK, the 5 Series boasts an 85.5% pass rate based on 18,735 MOT tests. With the top failure rate unsurprisingly being down to unsafe tyres, topping out at 6.3%.

Volkswagen Passat

Third on our list, is the Volkswagen Passat. This motorway munching mid-range masterpiece has always been a household name in Ireland, with 80,000 on our roads at present and 31,000 representing imports, it almost lines up with the average first time pass rate for all 2013 vehicles, scoring an 81.2% first time pass rate based on 2,887 tests.
The bulk of 2013 Passats fail on the same handful on reasons.

7.6% of fails were on wheels & tyres, tread depth/tyre condition – this is slightly above the average of 7% for all 2013 cars.

5.4% of fails were on Lighting & Electric.

3.9% of fails were Vehicle & Safety Equipment.

Likewise, the MOT equivalent for a 2013 Passat somewhat lined up with the pass rates for the NCT, coming in at a respectful 82.3% pass rate from 16,787 tests.

Nissan Qashqai

The family-oriented Nissan Qashqai has played a stormer in the Crossover SUV segment for since its initial release just over 11 years ago, and with the upmarket facelift in 2013 it gained further momentum among Irish buyers – many of which have been opting to import one from the UK, with almost 3,000 imported in 2018 alone.

Based on 3,629 NCT Tests in 2017 for a 2013 Nissan Qashqai, we saw an overall pass rate of 78.8%, placing it firmly at fifth place in our rankings.

Lining up with the other contenders in our lists;
8.9% failed on the usual Lighting & Electrics
5.4% failed on Vehicle & Safety Equipment
3.3% failed on tyres

In the UK, the Qashqai had an impressive pass rate of 82.8%, with the largest offender being the driver’s view of the road which involves Wipers, Windscreen washers and mirrors, this accounts for 7% of all fails along with 6.5% being Lighting and Electrics, which almost mirrors the highest failure rate in the NCT for the Qashqai.

If you’re in the market for a Qashqai, check those lights!

To round up the stats, each of our Top 5 UK Imports are all within the average of 81.8% for a first time pass in their initial NCT. These cars do have a lower pass rate in the NCT, than the equivalent MOT in the UK. This leads us to the question – is the NCT stricter than the MOT?

Results Summary

When we consider the sheer volume of cars tested in the MOT compared to the NCT, it can be assumed that the NCT is stricter, or could it be because the MOT is due on a car’s third anniversary rather than its fourth here in Ireland for the NCT? Cars in Ireland are going an extra year before they are tested.

Should the NCT adopt the same schedule as the MOT to increase road safety by testing cars more often?

The failure rates on unsafe tyres are a very worrying statistic either way – prevalent across the NCT and the MOT, and this is based on just a sample of five models tested in one year. Unsafe tyres that are overlooked by a motorist and instead, inspected and highlighted by an NCT/MOT technician, could possibly highlight a laidback attitude towards tyre safety among motorists, the data alone speaks for itself.

To put this in perspective, in 2017, there were 1,355,000 vehicles tested, and 175,000 failed due to unsafe tyres, just shy of 13%. Just over 1 in 10 cars had unsafe tyres on our roads.

]]>78311Increase in VRT Surcharge – Budget 2019https://www.cartell.ie/2019/01/increase-in-vrt/
Wed, 02 Jan 2019 13:02:58 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=78641Increase in VRT Surcharge Budget changes are in full swing as of now. The main area of affect regarding the Automotive Industry is the 1% Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) surcharge which is being brought in for Diesel engine passenger vehicles registered in Ireland from today onwards (Native and Imported). Director General of SIMI, Alan Nolan […]

Budget changes are in full swing as of now. The main area of affect regarding the Automotive Industry is the 1% Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) surcharge which is being brought in for Diesel engine passenger vehicles registered in Ireland from today onwards (Native and Imported).

Director General of SIMI, Alan Nolan says the move could have some unintended consequences and is “poorly considered”.

“The real disappointment for businesses and jobs in our sector is that we were already facing an increase in VRT in January, only on the price of a new car, in the region of €450, due to the new EU Emissions test. This additional 1% surcharge is likely to add a further €400 on average to a new diesel car from January.”

Excise Duty & Carbon Tax

When the budget was being announced there was an expected increase in Excise Duty on diesels as well as an increase in Carbon Tax but the Minister decided against these.

The environmental coalition, Stop Climate Chaos, said the failure to introduce a carbon tax increase would make meeting Ireland’s climate commitments even harder to achieve.

Electric Vehicles & Hybrids

With regards Electric Vehicles (EVs) and regular Hybrids, the current €2,500 and €1,500 relief, respectively, has been extended.

]]>78641Record Number of Clocked UK Cars – Another Reason to get a Cartell Checkhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/11/clocked-uk-cars/
Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:58:11 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=77081Clocked UK Cars cost motorists £800 million per year! The UK is now experiencing record numbers of clocked cars on their roads, according to data published by the LGA (Local Government Association). The LGA, who represents local authorities across Britain, have disclosed that more than two million vehicles contain fraudulently adjusted odometer/speedometer readings. Amazingly, clocking […]

The UK is now experiencing record numbers of clocked cars on their roads, according to data published by the LGA (Local Government Association). The LGA, who represents local authorities across Britain, have disclosed that more than two million vehicles contain fraudulently adjusted odometer/speedometer readings.

Amazingly, clocking is NOT currently illegal in the UK, although a proposed EU ban is in the pipeline. The ban was due to be in place by May this year but was never introduced, leaving mileage “correction” experts free to advertise their services.

The public can avail of such services for as little as £100, once they agree to disclose said mileage change if selling (we very much doubt this happens), polluting the used car market with clocked vehicles.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that one recent council prosecution found that a van sold with 89,000 miles on the clock was actually found to have traveled more than 243,000 miles.

The latest figures from the LGA show that instances of clocking have increased by 25% between 2014 and 2016, with the knock-on cost to motorists estimated at £800 million per year in the UK.

One in 16 vehicles checked now has a mileage discrepancy, The Telegraph reported, meaning that there could be 2.3 million clocked and “potentially dangerous cars” on UK roads.

Clocked UK Cars – Words from Cap HPI

Speaking to am-online.com Barry Shorto, head of industry relations at Cap HPI said: “The increase in mileage-related finance arrangements such as PCP and PCH may also be a contributing factor as motorists look to bring down their mileage count to within contracted levels and avoid paying penalties for excess mileage.”

Shorto added: “Our advice to dealers is not only should they make conducting mileage investigations an integral part of their business process to protect their reputation and their customers, but they must actively promote the fact that these checks have been done for customer peace of mind.”

“Proof of a mileage check needs to be a key part of a dealer’s sales strategy, promoting the quality of their stock, as well as highlighting the dangers of clocking for their customers.”

Avoid Clocked UK Cars – Check with Cartell

Cartell data has shown that 1 in 3 UK cars have a hidden history. In fact, below you can see the average number of Finance, Write-Off, and Mileage Alerts our UK Car Check provides to consumers, on a Monthly basis.

The above stats only prove the value of Cartell 3* Car Check, which examines the UK History as well as Irish.

]]>77081What is C.A.V.E and how is it affecting the Automotive Industry?https://www.cartell.ie/2018/11/cave/
Tue, 20 Nov 2018 08:58:03 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=76761CAVE: Connected – Autonomous – Vehicles – Electric “Connected” – The ability through which a vehicle can share information with other vehicles and its environment. “Autonomous Vehicles” – Vehicles capable of deciding on and taking a course of action, such as steering or braking, without the need for human intervention. “Electric” – Vehicles propelled by […]

“Connected” – The ability through which a vehicle can share information with other vehicles and its environment.“Autonomous Vehicles” – Vehicles capable of deciding on and taking a course of action, such as steering or braking, without the need for human intervention.“Electric” – Vehicles propelled by one or more electric motors, using energy typically stored in rechargeable batteries.

CAVE Conference

MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Mr. Jeffery Aherne motoring expert on will be giving a presentation entitled “The CAVE Future – Connected Autonomous Vehicle Electric” on Tuesday 4th December in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar at 7:30pm.

Conference Description

The motoring industry is going through a period of massive change. Plug-In Hybrid is replacing Diesel, Electric is replacing Hybrid. There is a massive convergence between IT and Automotive and vehicles are being fitted with ever more features to make them safer to drive. Lane departure, Collision Avoidance and Blind Spot detection have become common features in newer cars. We will see higher level features such as Autonomous Cruise Control being replaced by full Autonomy.
Before everyone can enjoy the technological improvements a number of key questions have to be addressed and answered.

Are we as a country, positioned to take advantage of AVs to manage our road network more safely and efficiently than ever before while, at the same time, delivering superior customer service to the travelling public?

Car manufacturers will have access to massive amounts of personal data, will this be monitored?

Will the cars become too expensive with the addition of new technology, could this cause new car sales to drop significantly?

Will insurance premiums increase because of increased car values, or, will the added safety features cause premiums to drop?

How will this affect car ownership?

What data between the vehicle and user is shared / owned?

What services can be created through the sharing of data?

Where will the data be stored and who is responsible for it?

Will all collision data be stored, and, what responsibilities and ownership exist on the State’s part?

Speaker Profile

Jeff is the Director Engineer at Cartell.ie & CEO CarandUs.com. Working with Cartell he has changed the law with respect to Written Off Cars and make Clocking Illegal. He is the founding member of Electronomous, Ireland’s International Car Tech Summit and at the forefront of this new Automotive Technology.

Conference Information

This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required.
This event is sponsored by Electronomous. Now in its third year, Electronomous is well established itself as a key Industry event with ambitions of becoming one of Europe’s leading AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY EVENTS over the coming years.

The Event is a ONE AND A HALF DAY International Conference with an Irish context bringing together top experts in the field of Electric Vehicles, Connected Car Technology, ADAS, Cyber Security and Autonomous Vehicles.
It also offers an unprecedented opportunity to Network with Industry leaders and leading experts in the fields mentioned above, while also providing a great platform to create new business relationships.

]]>76761Large Numbers of Diesels Being Importedhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/10/importing-diesel-vehicles/
Wed, 24 Oct 2018 07:54:01 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=76621PRESS RELEASE Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (October 24th) on the profile of vehicles being imported into Ireland in 2018 and reports that Irish buyers are importing diesel vehicles in significant numbers. Cartell.ie tracked the imported fleet in 2018 (all vehicles) between January 1st and September 30th (3 quarters) and found that […]

Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (October 24th) on the profile of vehicles being imported into Ireland in 2018 and reports that Irish buyers are importing diesel vehicles in significant numbers.

Cartell.ie tracked the imported fleet in 2018 (all vehicles) between January 1st and September 30th (3 quarters) and found that the vast majority (76%) of vehicles currently imported into Ireland are diesel aspirated. There has also been a significant jump in the numbers of Petrol/Electric Vehicles (+193%) and Electric Vehicles (+148%) over the past 12 months indicating these vehicles are finding their feet in the Irish market.

The most popular model imported year-to-date is the VW Golf ahead of the Ford Focus.

Table 3: 2018 (Jan to Sep) Imports by Model (Source: Cartell Carstat)

Year of Sale/Model

GOLF

FOCUS

QASHQAI

PASSAT

520

2018

4356

4124

2459

2409

2254

Registration Year Imported and Segment

In 2018 the most popular year of import is a 4 year-old-vehicle (2014) neck and neck with a three-year-old vehicle (2015). These ages were also the most popular in 2017 although a three-year-old vehicle was more popular that year. The most popular vehicle segment for imports is the C segment followed by the D segment – the same as for 2017.

This snapshot of the Irish market shows the Irish buyer is especially keen to import a diesel vehicle, usually a three or four-year-old and often a Focus, Golf, or Qashqai – models which have been consistently popular in the domestic market. The jump in the numbers of Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles being imported shows that buyers of those types of vehicles can see the value of importing and also points to a growth in the market for those vehicle types. Overall we would see imports remaining strong until at least the due date for Brexit in March 2019.”

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>76621Age of Private Fleet Drops on Younger Importshttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/10/age-private-fleet-drops-younger-imports/
Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:08:09 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=76451PRESS RELEASE Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (October 3rd) that the age of the native Irish fleet is now at its lowest level since September 2013 and the imported fleet age, thanks to a surge in newer imports, is now at its lowest level since August 2010. Cartell.ie tracked the age of […]

Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (October 3rd) that the age of the native Irish fleet is now at its lowest level since September 2013 and the imported fleet age, thanks to a surge in newer imports, is now at its lowest level since August 2010.

Cartell.ie tracked the age of the fleet (both native fleet and imported fleet) on the first day of each month between September 1999 and September 2018. Between September 2017 and September 2018 the imported fleet has declined in age from an average of 9.14 years to 8.81 years (-121 days). For the equivalent period the native fleet has declined from 8.59 years to 8.46 years (-48 days).

The age of the fleet oscillates throughout the year as vehicles leave the fleet and others enter. However the drop in age of the imported fleet since September 2017 has been particularly notable.

John Byrne, General Counsel, Cartell.ie, says:

The impact of imports has been even more noticeable in 2018 as owners retire older native vehicles and look to replace them with newer imported vehicles in ever increasing numbers. The imported fleet age has dropped by 121 days in the past year – that’s a sizeable drop. Even the native fleet is getting younger, showing a decline of 48 days in the last 12 months as people are moving up the years. In terms of the outlook for 2019, Brexit certainly makes it more difficult to make predictions, but we would still expect to see the age of the fleet continue to fall in the near term as buyers look to replace older vehicles.”In January 2015 Cartell released data which showed the age of the private fleet in Ireland had levelled-off significantly for the first time in over 10 years – supporting our view the market was then going into recovery.”

In November 2017 Cartell reported the age of the native fleet stood at 8.62 years while the age of the imported fleet stood at 9.02 years: which was the youngest recorded age for the imported fleet since July 2011. The overall age of the private fleet in Ireland (native and imported) stood at 8.7 years: representing a decline of 80 days since January 2017. That equivalent figure now stands at 8.54 years representing a decline of 59 days since those figures were released.

The imported fleet is now at its youngest level since 1st August 2010.

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>7645117,363 Vehicles in Ireland have 10 owners or morehttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/09/17363-vehicles-ireland-10-owners/
Wed, 05 Sep 2018 08:27:15 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=75901PRESS RELEASE Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie report today (September 5th) that 17,363 private vehicles in Ireland (excluding imports) have 10 owners or more over the lifetime of the vehicle –excluding garage sales. The highest number of owners recorded for a single vehicle is 31 owners. There are 145 vehicles with 17 owners, 82 […]

Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie report today (September 5th) that 17,363 private vehicles in Ireland (excluding imports) have 10 owners or more over the lifetime of the vehicle –excluding garage sales. The highest number of owners recorded for a single vehicle is 31 owners. There are 145 vehicles with 17 owners, 82 vehicles record 18 owners, 128 vehicles have 19 owners or more; and 11 vehicles have 25 or more owners over the course of the lifetime of the vehicle.

The highest number of owners recorded for a single vehicle is 31 owners: a Honda Integra registered in Galway with a 1998 plate. This vehicle was imported from Japan in 2006. In 150 months in Ireland it has averaged an owner change every 147 days. One owner held that vehicle for just 14 days. Two vehicles in Ireland record 30 owners: a BMW 530 registered in 2004 and a Lexus IS200 registered in 1999.

The number of vehicles currently displaying 25 or more owners is 11 vehicles. Cartell last looked at the equivalent number of vehicles displaying 25 owners or more in 2015 when the number returned was 5 vehicles.

The number of owners for a vehicle can sometimes be overlooked by a potential buyer as a less important data marker but it’s an important part of the vehicle’s history: a higher number of owner changes can sometimes indicate hidden issues such as mechanical problems with the vehicle. A higher number of owner cycles means the continuing upkeep of the vehicle becomes an issue too as some owners are more particular than others about ensuring vehicles are serviced regularly. You also have the issue of driving style which can impact on wear and tear of components and can point to increased maintenance costs down the line. We are commonly seeing more owner changes for vehicles which are taxed at a higher rate – many owners simply find it difficult to justify paying high values for motor tax for older vehicles over long periods.”

Size of the Fleet

Cartell.ie also report today that the size of the fleet in Ireland (all vehicles) hit 3.2 million for the first time when it returned a number of 3,204,161 registered vehicles on 30th July. The unprecedented size of the fleet presents issues for the road network and parking – particularly in urban areas.

John Byrne, General Counsel, Cartell.ie says:

The unprecedented size of the fleet will not come as a surprise to commuters who will have noticed increased congestion on our roads network and shortage of parking in urban areas. Issues around free-flow of traffic, enforcement of parking, access to business and footfall, will prove increasingly challenging as the economy continues to grow. Residential zones will also have noticed overflow parking in urban areas as we accommodate a larger fleet than ever before.”

ENDS

About Cartell.ie:

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>75901Carzone Motoring Report 2018https://www.cartell.ie/2018/08/carzone-motoring-report-2018/
Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:43:06 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=73521In July, our friends over at Carzone.ie produced their Motoring Report which examined trends in the Irish motoring market. They kindly credited ourselves, Cartell.ie, for providing some of the data used throughout. Check out a synopsis of the report below or download the full report in PDF format here. Irish motorists report an increase […]

Irish motorists report an increase in car running cost in the last year

Insurance premiums and fuel costs key issues for car owners

Key findings

61% of motorists have reported an increase in running costs in the last year

1 in 3 (29%) spend over €250 on car running costs

Insurance is still the top concern despite 32% seeing a decrease or no change in their premium

Over half of parents spend more than two hours driving each day

Cost and safety are the top concerns for parents when it comes to purchasing a family car

Almost two thirds plan to buy an electric or hybrid car in the near future

38% plan to buy a car in the next year with almost half purchasing a car under two years old

39% prefer a number plate from the county they are from

38% would pay a deposit for a car online and 77% would pay a deposit online up to the value of €1k

55% feel that there should be a mandatory retest for everyone over 70

Irish motorists have seen an increase in their car running costs in the last year according to the latest Motoring Report from car buying experts Carzone.

The bi-annual report which examines trends in the Irish motoring market finds that 61% of motorists say their running costs have increased in the last 12 months with 29% stating they spend upwards of €250 per month on keeping their vehicle on the road.

The Carzone Motoring Report is compiled by analysing data from the 77 million+ searches carried out on Carzone from January to June of this year, as well as an in-depth survey of 1,600 Irish motorists.

Financial concerns

Insurance remains the top financial concern for 61% of Irish car owners. Almost 1 in 5 (19%) cite the cost of fuel as a worry while 9% say general maintenance of their car is a financial concern.

Although insurance comes out as the top concern, almost a third (32%) say their insurance premium has either decreased or remained the same in the last 12 months. 64% also say they have not switched insurance company in the last year opting to stay with their current provider.

Going green

The latest Motoring Report finds that motorists are now more open to switching to electric and hybrid cars. Almost two thirds claim they plan to purchase an electric or hybrid car in the near future with the Tesla Model S and the Nissan Leaf being the most searched electric cars on Carzone site over the past six months. Awareness levels on the difference between electric and hybrid cars is high (84%) and 6 in 10 know where their nearest charging station is.

Given that many motorists are reporting a rise in running costs, it’s no surprise that 45% of those questioned say cheaper running costs is their number one incentive for making the switch from petrol or diesel. Being kinder to the environment was the second most popular reason (40%).

Ireland’s favourite cars

BMW is the most popular car marque searched for on Carzone followed by Audi and Mercedes Benz indicating a strong interest in the premium segment of the market. The Volkswagen Golf is the most popular car model on the site followed by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6. The most popular hybrid car is the Lexus IS300H.

What’s on your plate?

Although 69% of those polled would travel for more than two hours to purchase a car, it seems that where that car is from is important. Indicating that county pride is alive and well among Irish motorists, over a third (39%) say that they prefer to buy a car with a registration plate with the county they are from. In fact, so important is the registration plate to motorists that 46% claim that registration plates from different counties impact the value of the car! Interestingly those who lived in urban areas were more conscious of the county on their number plate (48%) compared to 42% of those living in the country.

The taxi of Mum & Dad

New to the report this year is a section on families and cars. Starting a family is often a key catalyst for changing a car. When asked what the most important factors are for parents choosing a car, cost and safety were the key decision factors (38% and 31%). 1 in 5 say that the size of the car impacts their choice. When it comes to purchasing a family car, it’s a joint decision for over half of those questioned (58%).

The Carzone Motoring Report also finds that parents spend a lot of time in their car with 52% stating they spend more than two hours a day driving their family around.

Testing Times

The report reveals that over two thirds (68%) of respondents who sat their driving test over 10 years ago passed it first time around, while 58% of drivers who took the test within the past 5 years needed two or more attempts to succeed. The research also finds that 57% of those who have a provisional licence have renewed it more than three times. When it comes to elderly road users, the report finds that over half (55%) of those polled think there should be a mandatory retest for everyone over 70.

Buying a car

According to the Carzone Motoring Report, 38% intend to buy a car in the next year. Of those that are planning a purchase, 46% will buy a car under two years old. The key reasons for buying a new car are that they simply wanted a newer or more reliable car or they needed a larger car to accommodate their growing family.

Over half (55%) have considered buying a car from the UK and 59% would consider purchasing in the UK in the future because of the price. However, 46% say that the biggest deterrent to car shopping in the UK is that it’s too much hassle.

While most cars are still purchased in dealerships or private sale, motorists have become more open to buying a car outright online. Over three quarters (77%) say they would pay up to a €1,000 deposit online for a car while 13% would be open to paying for a car in full online.

The main reasons for not buying a car online include the risk involved and the desire to see and test drive the car before making a purchase.

“Our latest Carzone Motoring Report is our tenth edition which looks at all aspects of Irish motoring. To mark our latest edition, we have added in some new topics such as family and cars, number plate snobbery and attitudes to buying cars online.

Insurance premiums which have been a top concern for a number of years are still the key issue impacting motorists despite the fact that many of those questioned have seen their premiums decrease or remain the same.

We are also seeing a shift in attitude towards electric and hybrid cars over the last few years as motorists get to grips with alternative fuels and the benefits they bring. Our latest report shows that 84% now know what electric and hybrid vehicles are and almost two thirds are planning to make the switch in the near future.”

]]>73521Average Value of New Private Vehicle more than €30,000https://www.cartell.ie/2018/07/average-value-new-private-vehicle-e30000/
Wed, 25 Jul 2018 08:04:27 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=73411Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE report today (July 25th) that the buyer of a new private vehicle in Ireland is now purchasing a vehicle worth more than €30,000 on average for the first time since Cartell.ie started recording these statistics. Cartell.ie calculated the total value of new vehicles purchased in Ireland between the years 2006 […]

]]>Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE report today (July 25th) that the buyer of a new private vehicle in Ireland is now purchasing a vehicle worth more than €30,000 on average for the first time since Cartell.ie started recording these statistics.

Cartell.ie calculated the total value of new vehicles purchased in Ireland between the years 2006 and 2018 based on the recommended Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) for each vehicle and summing them up. The company divided the total value for each year by the number of new vehicles sold that year to establish the average value per buyer.

Unsurprisingly, Cartell.ie found the average value of a new vehicle purchased fluctuated with the fortunes of the economy, so, in 2007 at the height of the boom the average value of a vehicle purchased was €28,106 which dropped to €24,758 in 2011 before increasing steadily every year since then as the economy improved. In 2016 the average value of a new vehicle was already back to boom time levels recording €28,385 while in 2017 the value had ticked up 4% to €29,481.

For the first 6 months of 2018 the average value has now hit €30,000 returning a figure of €30,130: the first 6 months of 2017 recorded €29,391 before ending the year on €29,481. This shows the average Irish buyer is now buying a vehicle worth €30,000 for the first time since Cartell.ie started recording these statistics.

Inflation

Adjusted for inflation the figure recorded for average value for the 12 months ending 1st January 2018 (€27,786) is higher than the figure recorded for the average value in 2006 (€26,997) – right in the middle of the boom.

Why has the average value been increasing?

Cartell.ie considered several possible reasons for the increase in the average value of a private vehicle purchased in Ireland over the last several years:

Consumers may be opting for more expensive vehicles, or more expensive vehicle types like SUVs and Crossover vehicles, or MPVs

Buyer has more cash to spend or more available lines of credit. Financial products such as Personal Contract Plans (PCPs) came to prominence in Ireland during the recession as manufacturers sought a means to provide direct lines of credit to potential buyers

Buyers may want larger cars. The country had a recorded population of 4.23 million in Census 2006 which increased to 4.76 million in Census 2016. This increase may have weighed on buyer decisions, for instance, buyers with younger children may need additional space

Vehicles are more expensive to manufacture, to comply with NCAP safety ratings, for example, this increases the cost of manufacture: the consumer now often expects certain higher specification items as standard too – larger wheels, alloys, on-board technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features – which all increase the manufacture cost

Increased consumer demand for hybrid vehicles (where technology is more expensive to implement) could be making an impact, along with changes in buyer habits to more environmentally friendly vehicles, and guided generally by the move to city-clean air policies.

Vehicles in the current generation often weigh more than for previous generations to accommodate additional safety systems

John Byrne, Legal and Public Relations Manager, Cartell.ie said:

The buyer of a new vehicle is getting more features than ever before, more technology, more safety, for example. The buyer has also shown an appetite for other features which manufacturers are increasingly rolling out as standard such as alloy wheels and electric windows. Combined, these features increase manufacturing costs and push average values upwards. The buyer may also be opting for more expensive cars owing to more readily available lines of credit or simply because buyers are keen to buy a larger car when fuel economy and motor taxation figures have dropped so significantly across the board.

Buyers have different buying habits: some will enter the market with an open mind and opt for the best available deal within their budget; while others will be keen to opt for the same manufacturer or the same model.

Remember this study is considering average values of new private vehicles based on the Open Market Selling Price: we are not looking at the price actually paid by the buyer: the actual deals struck between the buyer and the seller will vary widely to account for discounts, sales events, and trade-in values for example.”

ENDS

About Cartell.ie:

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>73411New Toll Scheme; EVs & Plug-ins to Benefithttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/07/new-toll-scheme-evs-plug-ins/
Thu, 05 Jul 2018 11:02:15 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=72751Ireland’s new toll scheme is now up and running, and it’s great news for owners of Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles. Overview: The Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive (EVTI) Scheme commenced on July 1st 2018 and is expected to run until December 31st 2022. This allows EV and PHEV owners to now avail of toll discounts […]

]]>Ireland’s new toll scheme is now up and running, and it’s great news for owners of Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles.

Overview:

The Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive (EVTI) Scheme commenced on July 1st 2018 and is expected to run until December 31st 2022. This allows EV and PHEV owners to now avail of toll discounts and refunds.

Commenting on the new scheme the Minister declared, “I am delighted to launch the new EV tolling scheme, this incentive is integral to the series of Governmental support measures aimed at promoting a low-carbon transport future”. He added “this new scheme will yield additional savings to EV motorists, with the potential for eligible private car owners to accumulate up to €500 in toll savings per annum, and up to €1,000 in savings for goods vehicles.”

In a final statement the Minister stated, “we are starting to see a steady rise in EV numbers; this can be attributed to improved technological developments and increased battery ranges alongside continued generous Government supports to reduce purchase and running costs. There are now over 5,000 electric vehicles in Ireland, over a 1,000 of which were registered in 2018 alone.”

How it works:

A 50% toll discount will be applied for battery electric vehicles, and a 25% toll discount will be applied to plug-in hybrid vehicles. Higher level discounts will be available across stated tolls during off-peak times/journeys.

To avail of the discount, motorists must sign up for an EV tag with an approved Toll Tag Provider. EV and PHEV Drivers, who are currently registered with a Toll Tag Provider, should be contacted with details on how to transfer to the scheme.

Vehicle Restrictions:

The new scheme applies to all Battery Electric Vehicles, and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles provided;

CO2 emissions are 80gm per Kilometer or less.

The vehicle must be registered in Ireland

Goods vehicles must have a gross weight of 3,500kg or less to be eligible.

NOTE: Taxis, Hackneys and Limousines will be considered a private vehicle under this scheme and can avail of the same discounts.

New Toll Scheme Details and Refunds:

The following data is taken from the www.tii.ie (Transport Infrastructure Ireland).

]]>72751Saudi women to get behind the wheel!https://www.cartell.ie/2018/06/saudi-women-behind-wheel/
Mon, 25 Jun 2018 09:58:52 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=72371It’s official, Saudi women are now allowed behind the wheel after the decades long ban has been lifted. Last September it was announced the ban would be lifted, and the first licences were issued to women this month. More than 120,000 women applied for a driver’s license Sunday, according to senior Ministry of Interior and […]

It’s official, Saudi women are now allowed behind the wheel after the decades long ban has been lifted.

Last September it was announced the ban would be lifted, and the first licences were issued to women this month. More than 120,000 women applied for a driver’s license Sunday, according to senior Ministry of Interior and Traffic Directorate officials.

“Demand for obtaining driving licenses is very high,” said Maj. Gen. Mansour Al Turki, official spokesman of the Ministry of Interior.

Saudi Arabia was the only country left in the world where women were unable to drive and families had to hire chauffeurs for female relatives.

It was the only country left in the world where women could not drive and families had to hire private chauffeurs for female relatives.

In 1990 dozens of Saudi women were arrested for driving in Riyadh, and from 2008 there were other cases of women posting videos of themselves behind the wheel.

Saudi television presenter Sabika al-Dosari told the AFP news agency, “It is a historic moment for every Saudi woman”.

Other Quotes:

“It feels weird, I am so happy. . . I’m just too proud to be doing this right now,”

]]>72371Tyre fitters and retailers subject to inspection by the SEAIhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/06/tyre-fitters-retailers-inspection/
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 14:25:55 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=72261Up to 120 Irish tyre fitters and retailers will be subject to inspection by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) this summer. With the goal being, to make sure they are all complying with EU tyre labelling regulations. Introduced in 2009, labels give consumers important information on their tyre selection, including fuel consumption and […]

]]>Up to 120 Irish tyre fitters and retailers will be subject to inspection by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) this summer. With the goal being, to make sure they are all complying with EU tyre labelling regulations.

Introduced in 2009, labels give consumers important information on their tyre selection, including fuel consumption and environmental performance, noise levels, and how well they will handle wet weather breaking.

By law, when a consumer is buying a tyre the labels must be clearly presented, and the values/details listed must be included on the bill once the sale is complete.

The SEAI will be making sure each of the fitters and retailers they visit are following the above correctly, and are warning that those found in breach of these regulations will face a substantial fine.

Programme Manager with SEAI, Tim Stokes, commented on the importance of this regulation for both fitters/retailers and motorists: “Tyres are a driver’s only contact with the road and so are one of the most important parts of any car. It’s vital that motorists have reliable information regarding safety and fuel economy to allow them make an informed choice when buying tyres. Tyre retailers have an important role, as well as a legal obligation, in that regard.”

SEAI representatives will be focusing on the accuracy of the tyre labels as well as the fact that they must be displayed. Although the vast majority of tyre labels are accurate for the tyre they’re on, and are checked across Europe by several testing facilities, and through technical documentation checks. If a label is found to be displaying improper information, it will have to be changed, ASAP.

“SEAI has already distributed leaflets to all tyre retailers informing them of their obligations. SEAI is also working with industry representatives and other stakeholders, such as the Road Safety Authority, to increase awareness of tyre labels among motorists. SEAI will continue to regularly carry out inspections to ensure tyre suppliers and distributors are compliant, helping to protect consumers and the environment” said Stokes.

]]>7226110 Driving Habits To Improve Your Fuel Consumptionhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/06/10-driving-habits-improve-fuel-consumption/
Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:13:48 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=71841Fuel prices seem to have gone through the roof all of a sudden. Here are a few tips and tricks to help increase your fuel efficiency and save some money. 1. Turning on the AirCon when you just don’t have to. We’re not suggesting you sit in a puddle of sweat on your commute, but putting […]

]]>Fuel prices seem to have gone through the roof all of a sudden. Here are a few tips and tricks to help increase your fuel efficiency and save some money.

1. Turning on the AirCon when you just don’t have to.

We’re not suggesting you sit in a puddle of sweat on your commute, but putting up with a bit of mild discomfort might actually make you feel better in the long run, with your pocket a bit heavier. If you must indulge, turn the A/C off when you’ve cooled down. According to the AA, air con uses more fuel at low speeds, so think about rolling down the windows in towns and only using the air con when out on the open road.

2. Having Cruise Control but not bothering to use it.

Using cruise control to keep the car at a constant speed, without constantly adjusting pressure to the accelerator or changing gear, gives your legs a break and also helps to eliminate unnecessary fuel consumption.

3. Travelling with your wardrobe (and more) in the car.

Manufacturers try their best to cut weight out of cars, don’t reverse their hard work. Lose the excess weight! Just keep what’s vitally important – First Aid kit, Spare tyre, etc.

4. Driving with the roofbox when you don’t need it.

5. Tailgating.

It’s not only dangerous, but will leave you hopping on and off the brake pedal as you constantly react to the movements of the car in front. If you leave a bit more space in front you’ll be able to ease off the accelerator as you anticipate having to slow down ahead.

6. Always rushing, racing and being late.

Organise and get yourself together to stop yourself rushing and driving on the limit. Give yourself a few extra minutes and enjoy an enjoyable, tranquil journey. On the motorway try driving at 100kph rather than 120kph. Arrive at your destination in a relaxed state for once.

7. Idling.

Whether it’s “warming up” the car, or waiting for someone with the engine running, it’s not good for your fuel economy. Plus it’s just not necessary, the car will warm up while in motion.

8. Lack of planning.

If you are constantly doing short trips here and there, the engine will never fully heat up. Planning and combining errands gives your car a better chance of reaching the right temperature for optimum fuel efficiency.

9. Ignorance to basic car maintenance.

Get the car serviced regularly to keep it running efficiently, keep the engine topped up with oil and keep tyres inflated; under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and use more fuel.

10. Your love for the red line.

Yes I know it’s nice and fun to rev the car hard through the gears and speed off into the distance but it will do you no favours at the pumps. Resist the temptation and change up a gear at an engine speed of around 2,000 rpm in a diesel car or around 2,500 rpm in a petrol car.

]]>71841Last Year of the Preteens – Cartell’s 12th Birthdayhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/05/last-year-preteens-cartells-12th-birthday/
Wed, 30 May 2018 15:54:35 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=71041It’s time for cake! This week we are celebrating Cartell’s 12th Birthday. It’s hard to believe two years have already passed since the big 10th celebration, time flies when you’re having fun as they say. We’re delighted to be continuously helping people with one of the bigger and more difficult decisions they have to make, […]

This week we are celebrating Cartell’s 12th Birthday. It’s hard to believe two years have already passed since the big 10th celebration, time flies when you’re having fun as they say.

We’re delighted to be continuously helping people with one of the bigger and more difficult decisions they have to make, and at the same time, doing our best to make Irish and UK roads a safer place by providing damage and Write-Off categories in our Checks.

The last year has been a big one for us. We’ve been constantly growing since day dot, and in the last 12 months we’ve added even more highly qualified staff to our ranks.

Electronomous – The Car Tech Summit, which more than doubled in size since the previous year.

GDPR was a hurdle successfully cleared by our legal team et al. We can proudly say we are compliant.

The Cartell Trade App became available on the Apple Store and Android, and,

We also made new additions to the usability of Cartell.ie. Our world-class developers have created a Personal Account option which allows users to register with Cartell, receive discounts, and use our new tools.

This is only a sample of what we’ve been up to for the year, and we have plans, on plans, on plans for the future. I’d love to go on and on but as we know attention spans are….

…what was I saying?

Anyway, we’ve put together a short video highlighting some of our accomplishments and proudest moments over the last 12 years. Have a look, enjoy, and thank you very much for reading if you made it this far.

]]>71041Public Cartell Account – Offers and Discountshttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/05/offers-and-discounts/
Tue, 22 May 2018 11:40:16 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=70811Currently we are offering you Free-To-Use Cartell Tools such as: Quick CPG Cartell’s Price Guide, Ireland’s most accurate car price guide, is available to users through their Personal Cartell Account. The Quick CPG will generate the user a valuation of the input vehicle, based on our official vehicle data, cross-indexed with adverts across Carzone and […]

Quick CPG

Cartell’s Price Guide, Ireland’s most accurate car price guide, is available to users through their Personal Cartell Account.
The Quick CPG will generate the user a valuation of the input vehicle, based on our official vehicle data, cross-indexed with adverts across Carzone and other leading used car sites.

Mileage Comparison

Find out how your or any Irish cars mileage compares with identical vehicles from the NMR (National Mileage Register). Is yours below average, reasonable, or above average?
Entering the most precise mileage possible will improve the accuracy of the result, however, if the mileage is unknown you can use the “average mileage” option to view a general report.

Similar Car Search

Cartell’s Similar Car Search allows the user to find vehicles for sale, which match the Make, Model and Trim of the entered registration.
Have you ever found a car you loved and wanted but unfortunately missed out on it because somebody else bought it before you? Simply enter the registration into our Similar Car Search and find available, alternative options.

Discounts

We will update this space with new discounts as they are released. See currently available:

]]>70811Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett win the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2018https://www.cartell.ie/2018/05/donegal-pair-manus-kelly-donall-barrett-win-cartell-ie-international-rally-lakes-2018/
Sun, 13 May 2018 18:20:32 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=70621What a May bank holiday that was, is it any wonder why it’s our favourite weekend of the year. At the end of a duel that lasted the entire weekend, Donegal pair Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett in their Subaru Impreza WRC took home their third International rally win when they added the Cartell.ie International […]

]]>What a May bank holiday that was, is it any wonder why it’s our favourite weekend of the year.

At the end of a duel that lasted the entire weekend, Donegal pair Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett in their Subaru Impreza WRC took home their third International rally win when they added the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes to their previous two victories, which were both on home soil.

Once again, their success came at the last minute. They only took the lead three stages from the finish, when they went ahead of the Fiesta of long-time leaders Dubliner Rob Barrable and his Monaghan co-driver Damien Connolly.

Barrable and Connolly led from Saturday’s world famous opening stage, Moll’s Gap, and in damp early conditions, they pulled out an advantage of 36 seconds before the eventual winners began reducing this to 28 seconds by the end of day one.

The Donegal duo continued the pressure throughout day two, getting ever closer to the leaders. Then when Barrable began having clutch problems, he decided to play it safe as Kelly’s car was not eligible for the Irish Tarmac series, and second place would still bring maximum championship points.

By the end, Kelly finished 29 seconds in front, and such was the pace of the two leaders all weekend that third placed Desi Henry was never a serious challenger for top spot, even though he was just over half a minute behind Barrable.

Last year’s winner and defending Irish Tarmac champion Sam Moffett could only manage fourth this time, ahead of Jonny Greer and Josh Moffett.

]]>70621Lexus launch their Service service, powered by Cartell.ie!https://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/lexus-launches-service-service-powered-cartell-ie/
Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:57:13 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=70321Lexus have just released their new Car Service website lexusservice.ie, which is powered by ourselves at Cartell.ie. The website will allow Lexus owners to enter the registration of their current vehicle, Cartell.ie then works instantaneously (in the background) to find the vehicle information for Lexus, who provide a listing of Service packages available. The user […]

]]>Lexus have just released their new Car Service website lexusservice.ie, which is powered by ourselves at Cartell.ie.

The website will allow Lexus owners to enter the registration of their current vehicle, Cartell.ie then works instantaneously (in the background) to find the vehicle information for Lexus, who provide a listing of Service packages available.

The user will be able to select the closest and most convenient “Lexus Retailers/Authorised Repairers” and book a date that best suits.

Ian Corbett, Head of Lexus Ireland commented: “Lexus Ireland has always been committed to delivering the best customer service possible and we are delighted to now offer this new service which gives our customers accurate and immediate service quotes as well as the convenience of booking their service online. Once the driver’s car is with our retailer and authorised repairer, customers can be assured that it’s in good hands, as our technicians undergo intensive Lexus training as well has having years of experience in delivering the highest quality service.”

The Service service applies to all current and legacy models, and has been specifically tailored for the current Lexus hybrid lineup of CT, IS, NX, RX, GS, LS, RC, and LC hybrid models.

]]>70321PRESS RELEASE – Cartell.ie Rally of The Lakeshttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/press-release-cartell-ie-rally-lakes/
https://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/press-release-cartell-ie-rally-lakes/#commentsWed, 18 Apr 2018 09:48:48 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=70201Killarney and District Motor Club held the official launch to the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2018 on Sunday 15th at Brehon Hotel Killarney. There were some beautiful rally cars on display and a large crowd in attendance. Officials, Organisers, Sponsors, distinguished guest speakers such as TD Brothers Michael & Danny Healy Rae, Councillor […]

Killarney and District Motor Club held the official launch to the Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes 2018 on Sunday 15th at Brehon Hotel Killarney. There were some beautiful rally cars on display and a large crowd in attendance. Officials, Organisers, Sponsors, distinguished guest speakers such as TD Brothers Michael & Danny Healy Rae, Councillor Michael Gleason, WRC Co Driver Paul Nagle and Dignitaries of Killarney town were on hand to support the event. MC on the night was non-other than Mike Marshall event COC of 25years, he introduced Paul O’Neill of Killarney’s Chamber of Tourism and Commerce who spoke of how important the rally of the Lakes is to Killarney Town, bringing a welcomed boost to the local economy. Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney also spoke on the commitment and dedication of the voluntary club members involved and their ability to host an event of this magnitude every year. Other guest speakers included John Byrne of Cartell.ie, Brian McArdle of Ordnance Survey Ireland, Kieran Healy of KC Print/Killarney Advertiser and Patrick O’Donoghue of the Gleneagle Hotel Group who have been involved since the rally’s first inception in 1979.

Killarney & District Motor Club, organisers of the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes have announced details of this year’s event which will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend 4th – 6th May.

Killarney Businessman Dermot Healy has taken on the role of COC for his sixth year. Dermot, who is very much respected in the town of Killarney for his incredible voluntary and charity work, has put together a strong organising committee and operations are well under way. Dermot explains: the route stages are the most famous classic route of stages available and these demanding, technical and challenging stages should test each competitor to their full ability. While also maintaining the unique classic stages that the Rally of the Lakes holds worldwide, our main aim is to bring the Rally back in and around the Killarney town area and we have achieved this with our Sunday loop of stages.

Once again for their ninth consecutive year Ireland’s leading vehicle history record company Cartell.ie return’s as the main title sponsor of the Rally of the Lakes 2018. Including additional support from Killarney Advertiser, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Gleneagle Hotel Group, who have been supporters of the Rally of the Lakes for many years and continue as Associate Sponsors.

The three-day event will begin with a ceremonial start in Killarney’s town centre at 7pm on Friday 4th May. Plans are at an advanced stage to create a motorsport festival on the streets of Ireland’s most famous town.

The real action will commence early on Saturday morning with the iconic Molls Gap, followed by the Tim Healy Pass and centralised service in Castletownbere Pier. Then it’s time to head out on the famous stages of Cods Head and Ardgroom with a repeat run over the Healy Pass and into service for a well deserved break. Cods Head and Ardgroom are repeated and a blast through the Kilmakilloge harbour stage to finish off the day.

Sunday Morning starts with Molls Gap once again, followed by the mountainous Beallaghbeama Pass, Then into service at Liebherr Container cranes Killarney. This Loop is of Molls Gap and Beallaghbeama Pass is repeated with the inclusion of a new version of the fast flowing Shanera stage called Brook Hill. It’s into service once again before heading out to the Spectator friendly loop of Rossanean, Brook Hill and Rossanean again as the final stage. The crews will arrive back to the finishing ramp at the Rally Head Quarters – The Gleneagle Hotel at 17.30 for Celebrations and Champagne. The strength of the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes 2018 is evident with entries only open a few hours, over 70 crews have entered and the stage is already set for battle royal in all classes and categories.

Heading the international Entry list is last year’s winner, Sam Moffett who is likely to start the event in the top slot. Local Co-driver Noel O’Sullivan takes up the hot seat alongside Sam for his first time and will be hopeful for his first overall win. Behind him comes a host of WRC machinery with two times Lakes winner Donagh Kelly, along with Roy White & Declan Boyle who have led this event in the past. Donegal man Manus Kelly has shown interest in this year’s event, he will be a great addition to the line up. Irish Tarmac Championship leader Josh Moffett arrives in Killarney on top form with recent back to back wins on both the West Cork and Easter stages Rallies. Other Top R5 competitors include Robert Barrable who was second overall last year, 5 times Irish Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly in his Hyundai I20 R5, Stephen Wright & Jonny Greer both in their Ford Fiesta’s along with Desi Henry in his new Skoda Fabia R5. Top Local crew Daniel Cronin/ Shane Buckley have had a great start to their Irish Tarmac Championship campaign, recently acquired the ultimate Ford Fiesta from M-Sport, he will be anxious to make his mark on the home event. While also including Killarney regulars Joe Connolly, Keith Lyons amongst the R5 cars.

In the National Rally all the big Escort brigade come out to play but perhaps the person who will cause them most bother is from Donegal, as last year’s Modified winner Kevin Eves returns in his Toyota Corolla 2.5, he has put in such an incredible drive & category win on both the West Cork Rally & Easter Stages rallies to lead the championship heading for Killarney. Local man Rob Duggan is fresh from a win in the Killarney Historic Rally in December, he has hired an ultimate 2.5 Escort and will be hard to beat over the classic stages. Barry Meade is a previous Modified winner and will be incredibly quick also. Past winner Wesley Patterson will also be a strong contender, as will the legendary Phil Collins who makes the trip from Herefordshire to the stages he loves so well and where he has enjoyed considerable success over the past 32 years. Other top entries include: Vincent McSweeney, Jack Newman, Gary Kiernan, Liam Howlett, John O’Donnell, Enda O’Brien, Eugene Megan.

The battle for the John Mullane Cup for the highest placed driver from Co Kerry will be as closely contested as it has been since the award was first introduced in the very early days of the Rally of the Lakes. Top crews include: Charlie Hickey, Kevin O’Donoghue, Denis Hickey, Tadgh O’Sullivan, Fergus O’Meara, John Hickey, Ed Murphy, Con Lucey, Noel O’Sullivan and Vincent O’Shea. A strong Historic & Junior Entry has already been received. The Historic’s will contest the whole event, while the juniors will contest the rally on Saturday.

The May bank holiday weekend is near and the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes is the place to be.

]]>https://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/press-release-cartell-ie-rally-lakes/feed/170201Electronomous 2018 Speaker: Sharon Masterson from ITF at OECDhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/electronomous-2018-speaker-sharon-masterson-itf-oecd/
Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:02:25 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=70061Ahead of her presentation at Electronomous 2018 we managed to grab some time with Sharon Masterson from ITF at OECD. In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018? I look forward to introducing participants to some exciting work that the ITF has done, on shared mobility solutions for instance. […]

In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018?

I look forward to introducing participants to some exciting work that the ITF has done, on shared mobility solutions for instance. Our modelling for cities like Lisbon, Helsinki or Auckland has demonstrated that if private vehicles were to be replaced by fleets of shared vehicle, only about 4% of cars would be needed to provide the same level of mobility as with private cars. This holds huge potential in terms of traffic congestion and also decarbonisation of transport, a topic on which we are also focussing at the ITF.

Can you tell us a little bit about your role and your involvement in the relevant space (Connected, ADAS, Transport, Autonomous or Electric Vehicles)?

The International Transport Forum at the OECD is an intergovernmental organisation with 59 member countries. The ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. Our role is that of a think tank for transport policy, to provides advice to our countries and their ministers. We are also increasingly working with the private sector. In 2013, we created the ITF Corporate Partnership Board that comprises companies from transport and related sectors to work with us to look at emerging issues in transport. Businesses are at the cutting edge of developments in a rapidly changing sector, and their insights are extremely valuable for policy makers when it comes to understanding trends from shared mobility, to drones to blockchain to data-driven transport policy.

Are there any other speakers you are looking forward to hearing?

Several in fact! But if I just have to pick one I would say that I look forward to meeting and listening to Clare Jones, COO of what3words. I think this is an interesting company, and an application like this can be used very broadly across transport and other sectors. In fact, it is a good example of how innovation can be used to leapfrog in developing countries to going from having no address, to a quite sophisticated locationing and address system. Clare will also speak at ITF’s Annual Summit in Leipzig in May 23-25 May.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge currently being faced within the ITF in this new era of transport development?

Transport is facing a great transformation. Our challenge at ITF is to support our member countries in addressing new challenges that are an order of magnitude above what we have seen in the past, and that are happening very fast. Policy makers need to have as much visibility as possible of what is coming in order to take decisions which will shape transport for decades to come.

How important is technology in paving the way towards a new era of personal mobility?

Technological innovation will change mobility in dramatic ways, by itself but also by enabling new business models. What we are seeing now with app-based ride services for instance is just the beginning.

]]>70061Electronomous 2018 Speaker: Armin Fendrich, Ridecellhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/electronomous-2018-speaker-armin-fendrich-ridecell/
Tue, 10 Apr 2018 10:50:25 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=69991In advance of Electronomous 2018 we caught up with Armin Fendrich of Ridecell for a short chat on his upcoming talk at THE CAR TECH SUMMIT/ In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018? Our presentation will discuss the future or transportation. New mobility services such as ridesharing and carsharing are poised to be the […]

In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018?

Our presentation will discuss the future or transportation. New mobility services such as ridesharing and carsharing are poised to be the fastest growing market segment in the transportation industry. Add to that autonomous cars and the cost of offering a ride drops dramatically. This is the inflection point when mobility-as-a-service emerges as the preference over vehicle ownership. Our presentation addresses why and how companies in the automotive industry need to reinvent themselves as mobility operators today to best prepare for the autonomous future. The path from the driven, traditional vehicle ownership model to self-driven, shared model is not a linear path as many predict. We will delve into the economics of vehicle ownership vs using vehicles as a service. Through our expertise from powering carsharing, ridesharing, and autonomous services, we will share our insights on how the future will change, the challenges for mobility operators and how they can best prepare to be successful in the ridehailing autonomous future of tomorrow.

Can you tell us a little bit about your role and your involvement in the relevant space (Connected, ADAS, Autonomous or Electric Vehicles)?

Ridecell provides an intelligent software platform that empowers companies associated with automotive industry to become successful mobility operators—including OEMs, car rental companies, auto clubs, transit agencies, dealer groups, private fleet owners, and even cities. Our platform enables these organizations to launch and expand their own ridesharing, carsharing, and autonomous fleet services. Our platform is a production-ready solution that allows our customers to launch profitable new mobility services and prepare for the oncoming on-demand mobility revolution. With a team of more than 100 professionals in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, we’ve already processed over 20 million rides and rentals for new mobility offerings, including ReachNow, a mobility service from the BMW Group, OMNI by Volkswagen, ZITY by Groupe Renault and Ferrovial, and GIG Carsharing service by AAA.

I am General Manager of Ridecell for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region and lead the development of all partnerships for autonomous and new mobility services, including carsharing and ridesharing.

Ridecell is the only platform that powers both carsharing and ridesharing—and now, autonomous ridehailing. Ridecell new mobility customers are able start with one service, knowing they can easily expand the types of business offerings as their mobility service grows and the market evolves. With multiple mobility services, all using one fleet of vehicles, service providers are seeing significantly higher utilization rates (and profits) than with a standalone carsharing service where utilization rates are highest during the day and lower in the evenings.

Ridecell recently announced the launch of their autonomous operations platform designed to automate vehicle and operations management for autonomous fleets. Our platform gives autonomous vehicle fleets the intelligence to manage their own operational tasks, in both routine and emergency situations. And so, I am hoping to catch the autonomous presentations and hear about the progress and challenges that these operators might have as its directly linked to our business.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge currently being faced with developing your area of technology?

The mobility as a service industry is still a relatively nascent industry that is evolving and growing. The number one challenge is ensuring that the current ecosystems associated with driven vehicles all evolve and collaborate to accelerate the adoption of new mobility services to make safer, more efficient autonomous transportation possible and strategically beneficial to all involved.

How important is technology in paving the way towards a new era of personal mobility?

Technology is already transforming the way commute today. The convenience of the app and the on-demand economy has given rise to an era of new mobility services such as ridesharing and carsharing that are impacting people’s transportation choices. For example, urban area dwellers—especially Millennials—are choosing to skip the car-owning experience altogether. In fact, on-demand mobility services are poised to be the fastest growing market segment in the transportation industry. And when you add autonomous vehicles to that mix, the cost structure of on-demand mobility services changes dramatically as the cost of the driver is removed from the equation – on-demand mobility becomes significantly less expensive than owning a car. Personal car ownership will begin to decrease with people choosing to pay for their transportation as they consume it. The future of mobility will be shared, on-demand and autonomous. And these changes will be driven by technological and social trends that will collectively transform how people and goods will move about in the future.

Have you been to Kerry/Ireland before, and what are you expecting?

I haven’t been to Kerry before. I am hoping to learn more about the place, the culture and its people. Also, from a business standpoint, I am looking forward to meeting with experts in the areas of connected car technology, electric vehicles and autonomous

About the speaker:

Armin Fendrich – General Manager Ridecell EMEA

Armin Fendrich is General Manager of Ridecell EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa). Based in Munich, Germany, Fendrich leads the development of partnerships in the region for autonomous and new mobility services, including carsharing and ridesharing.

Fendrich has a strong record of accomplishment for growing revenue in automotive and service companies including Nokia and most recently Panasonic/Aupeo, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer and Managing Director. He formerly held the position of Vice President of Sales Automotive

]]>69991Electronomous 2018 Speaker: Clare Jones, What 3 Wordshttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/electronomous-2018-speaker-clare-jones-3-words/
https://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/electronomous-2018-speaker-clare-jones-3-words/#commentsThu, 05 Apr 2018 14:59:22 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=69791In advance of Electronomous 2018 we caught up with Clare Jones CCO at What 3 Words for a short chat on her upcoming talk at THE CAR TECH SUMMIT/ Q. In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018? A. I’ll be sharing the story of what3words. I’ll share our […]

Q. In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018?

A. I’ll be sharing the story of what3words. I’ll share our journey and why it’s time for a new addressing system that was designed for the digital age – for Airbnb users, global travellers, road trippers, millennials who want one-hour delivery slots and don’t own a car – and for autonomous vehicles and UAVs.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your role and your involvement in the relevant space (Connected, ADAS, Autonomous or Electric Vehicles)?

A. We need more precise addresses for the machines of today and tomorrow – what3words was the first address system designed for voice input, and for autonomy. We’re a company of 70 people, mostly based in our London HQ – together with our innovative partners, including OEMs, and mobility and navigation companies, we’re making our address system the global standard. 3 word addresses are used all over the world – they’re used in travel guides, by pizza delivery companies, and by Airbnb hosts, while our technology is built into Mercedes cars, taxi apps, and navigation apps.

Q. Any other speakers you are looking forward to hearing?

A. I’m looking forward to hearing from Sharon Masterson – I’m always fascinated by how public and private organisations can work together to create fairer, more accessible and more inclusive cities, especially in transportation.

Q. In your experience, what is the number one challenge currently being faced with developing your area of technology?

A. As new technologies are adopted, people are often trying to shoe-force them to work with old solutions that just don’t quite fit. Improvements in mapping and navigation tech – and they’re only accelerating with the advent of autonomous vehicles – have been incredible over the past few years, and yet we’re still using an addressing system that was designed hundreds of years ago. Technology fit for the future needs to rethink a lot of things that we take for granted – like a street address.

Q. How important is technology in paving the way towards a new era of personal mobility?

A. Technology is, of course, critical – but we need to think, at the beginning, about the interplay between humans and machines. We need to think about the people that are going to use these technologies – whether those are autonomous vehicles, or ride-hailing apps, or voice assistants. If people can’t trust these machines to get them to the right place, if they can’t feel comfortable using them, we’ll have all spent incredible amounts of time and money designing something that doesn’t quite do the job. It’s exciting to be working on technology at that interface between humans and machines, making sure it’s human-friendly even as the tech itself becomes more complex.

Q. Have you been to Kerry/Ireland before, and what are you expecting?

A. My Mum’s family is from the West of Ireland, in County Mayo. Ireland one of the places I love most in the world – there is so much to explore, especially in the countryside. And here in Ireland, you do need 3 word addresses quite badly, too – how else can you find the best cold-water surfing spot on the beach – or that rural Airbnb farmhouse, or the beautiful stone circle you want to visit? I’m very happy to be back and to talk mobility of the future.

]]>https://www.cartell.ie/2018/04/electronomous-2018-speaker-clare-jones-3-words/feed/169791Electronomous 2018 Speaker: Simon Morley, Boschhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/03/electronomous-2018-speaker-simon-morley-bosch/
Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:19:44 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=68261We caught up with Electronomous 2018 Speaker- Simon Morley from Bosch for a quick Q&A about his upcoming talk! Q. In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018? A. I will start by talking a bit about Bosch’s early involvement in automated driving and its new focus on mobility of […]

Q. In a nutshell, what are you going to be talking about at Electronomous 2018?

A. I will start by talking a bit about Bosch’s early involvement in automated driving and its new focus on mobility of the future. Once I have set the scene, I will then go into MOVE_UK, which is a leading CAV project taking place in the UK at the moment, led by Bosch and supported by five other industry partners and the UK government. The project involves the trial of a new, more efficient, method of validating Automated Driving Systems (ADS) using a small fleet of Land Rover production vehicles driven in real world conditions on the roads of Greenwich, London. My presentation includes the motivation for the project, the key technologies, some of the results collected so far, and also mentions what is to come up in the remaining 15 months of the project.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your role and your involvement in the relevant space (Connected, ADAS, Autonomous or Electric Vehicles)?

A. I am a Project Manager within Bosch’s Driver Assistance division and the Lead Project Manager for MOVE_UK. This means that I work closely with our engineering team in Germany who are at the forefront in the development of autonomous vehicles and automated driving technologies. I am also an active member of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders’ (SMMT) Connected and Autonomous Vehicles group, a member of the Automotive Council’s working group on Intelligent Connected Vehicles, and have good connections with the UK governments Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) as well as other CCAV funded projects.

Q. Any other speakers you are looking forward to hearing.

A. Marcus Rothoff from Volvo cars – because I would like to hear how the Volvo Drive Me pilot project that was launched in Gothenburg last year is going.

Bosch self driving car, Greenwich

Q. In your experience, what is the number one challenge currently being faced with developing your area of technology?

A. The complexity and time it currently takes to test automated driving systems in order to make them ready for market.

Q. How important is technology in paving the way towards a new era of personal mobility?

A. It is essential. Without technology, we will not reduce the number of deaths on roads or traffic congestion.

Q. Have you been to Kerry/Ireland before, and what are you expecting?

A. Although I have been to Ireland (Dublin) before, I have never visited Kerry. One of the reasons I wanted to come to this event was to get a glimpse of the west coast of Ireland. I have heard that it is very beautiful and that the beer is not bad either!

]]>68261Auto, Tech worlds gear-up for Electronomous 2018https://www.cartell.ie/2018/03/auto-tech-worlds-gear-electronomous-2018/
Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:52:01 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=68161Dublin, March 1, 2018 – An international line-up of experts from the automotive and technology industries will gather in Killarney, Ireland, this May for Electronomous, the annual forum for topics including electric vehicles, connected car technology, autonomous vehicles, cyber security and more. The conference, organised by vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie, will discuss how […]

]]>Dublin, March 1, 2018 – An international line-up of experts from the automotive and technology industries will gather in Killarney, Ireland, this May for Electronomous, the annual forum for topics including electric vehicles, connected car technology, autonomous vehicles, cyber security and more.

The conference, organised by vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie, will discuss how technology is changing all aspects of the automotive world including the rapid development of mobility solutions, as well as other key industry processes such as insurance, finance and sales.

International CAR TECH SUMMIT- Electronomous conference takes place 2-3 May in the INEC, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Event boasts “World-Class” panel of automotive / technology experts

Electronomous 2018 kicks off with exciting ‘Electric Drive’ from Dublin to Killarney

The main attraction of Electronomous is a panel of globally-renowned speakers, including Marcus Rothoff, Head of Volvo’s Autonomous Driving programme; Uwe Puetzschler, Head of Car2X at Nokia; Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic Telecom; and Gareth Dunsmore, Electric Vehicle Director with Nissan Europe, to name just a few. The event will be hosted by Quentin Wilson, former ‘Top Gear’ presenter and award-winning motoring journalist.

Acording to Jeff Aherne, Director of Cartell.ie:

Technology is disrupting all aspects of the motor industry. Electric is replacing combustion and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are paving the way to Autonomy. This is an opportunity for all those with an interest in the space to understand what is coming”.

Commenting on the event, Quentin Wilson said: “Electronomous is a major future transport event with industry-leading speakers, experts and fascinating debates. If you’re interested in the new era of personal mobility – it’s unmissable.”

Some of the confirmed attendees for Electronomous 2018 include Volkswagen, IBM, Toyota, BMW, Honda, Applegreen, Valeo, TomTom, Audatex, the European Council for Automotive R&D (EUCAR) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The event will begin with a high-profile ‘Electric Drive’ from Dublin to Killarney on the afternoon of 2 May, with TV & Motoring broadcaster Kirsteen O’Sullivan leading a fleet of electric vehicles on a 300km road trip in the company of motoring journalists and special guests. The drive will give members of the public a chance to see the range and capabilities of EVs for themselves.

Electronomous will also feature a series of pop-up ‘Tell Talks’ over the course of the event, offering a deep dive into a range of automotive / technology issues in the company of international experts.

Electronomous 2018 takes place at the INEC, Killarney, Co. Kerry, on 2-3 May 2018.

For a limited time only, Electronomous 2018 tickets are available for €300 + VAT per person (to include access to the 1.5 day event and all other associated events including the Evening Summit Dinner on May 2 at the Brehon Hotel).

For more information please contact: Pearse O’Loughlin at Cullen Communications

Cartell.ie examined fuel efficiency figures for all new vehicles sold in Ireland between 1998 and 2017. Over that time efficiency has increased by 35 per cent from 6.98 litres per 100KMs in 1998 (“l/100”) to 4.53 l/100 in 2017. The largest increase was recorded between 2007 and 2017 when efficiency figures jumped from 6.56 (l/100) to 4.53 (l/100) an increase in efficiency of 31 per cent. This coincides with the Government’s Carbon Budget in 2007 and the change in the Motor Taxation regime for 2008 to benefit vehicles which produce less CO2. A corollary of that is to confer a benefit on vehicles which are more fuel efficient as increased efficiency leads to production of less CO2.

Graph 1: Average Private Consumption by Year in Ireland (Source: Cartell, Carstat)

It has been reported recently that Ireland faces significant fines for a “serious rise in Irish greenhouse gas emissions” – which has been partly attributed to the transport sector where emissions increased by 3.7 per cent in 2016. Yet fuel efficiency figures for new cars improved by 2.2 per cent between 2015 and 2016. Cartell.ie earlier reported to the media that the average annualised mileage travelled by a car 5 years-of-age or less in 2016 was 21,028 KMs. This represented an increase of 7.1 per cent over the equivalent figure for 2008 (19,635 KMs). So, while our vehicles are more fuel efficient we are using them more – this is resulting in our increased levels of CO2.

EU Emissions Target

In terms of our EU targets: the average emissions level of a new car sold in Europe in 2016 was 118.1 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g CO2/km), significantly below the target of 130 g. In Ireland the average emissions level for a new car sold in 2016 was even lower at 113 g CO2/km. However, the value for cars imported in 2016 was 118 g CO2/km and this actually increased to 120 g CO2/km for cars imported in 2017. It will be a source of frustration for the Government that while we easily surpassed the EU emissions target (and the EU average) for new vehicle sales in 2016, we still face significant penalties in 2020, due to our overall production of CO2 – largely attributable to economic growth.

While our vehicles are 31 per cent more fuel efficient than they were in January 2008 we are using them more. This has obviously led to an increase in our carbon footprint and Ireland is facing heavy fines – partly due to the transport sector. Vehicles imported into Ireland are also producing more CO2 than vehicles purchased new in Ireland. Overall the Government will be disappointed: we easily surpassed the EU emissions target in 2016 but still face heavy penalties.”

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>67771Geneva Motor Show 2018 – Take 10!https://www.cartell.ie/2018/03/geneva-motor-show-2018-take-10/
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:57:27 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66761Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is at the Geneva Motor Show again – our seventh time making the trip. Here are our 10 best bits from this year: 1. Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder Let’s start with something top-end. This Lamborghini has a 5.2-litre V10 naturally-aspirated engine and accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 3.1 seconds while 0-200 kmph in […]

]]>Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is at the Geneva Motor Show again – our seventh time making the trip. Here are our 10 best bits from this year:

1. Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder

Let’s start with something top-end. This Lamborghini has a 5.2-litre V10 naturally-aspirated engine and accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 3.1 seconds while 0-200 kmph in 9.3 seconds. It’s expected to cost $300,000 in the USA.

Lamborghini stand always one of the Show highlights

2. Jaguar I-Pace

From old skool performance to new era: this I-Pace has been catching the headlines all week. It’s an electric SUV which uses some clever tech to keep the battery at optimal performance. It’s the first electric SUV from a premium European car maker when deliveries start in July this year.

Promoting a 40 minute charge this i-Pace could change the EV landscape

3. The Kia Ceed

Cartell has long been a fan of this model since we test drove it several years ago. This new Ceed clearly has its focus on design as it looks sportier and more appealing than older versions. The front end looks more aggressive and we like the front-three-quarter view.

Sportier than the previous generation Cartell.ie has long been a fan

4. Mercedes Benz A Class

Sporting a new engine-line-up we expect the new 1.4-litre turbo petrol 161bhp to be the pick for Irish buyers. Mercedes are focusing on the appealing tech on board and the plusher interior as selling points. The previous A Class was a big seller across Europe so this model is an important one for the company to get right.

Mercedes Benz A Class is a big seller

5. Audi A6

This one will rival the BMW 5 Series for best in class and it looks superb in the metal. The detailing on the lights in particular look really classy.

6. Hyundai Santa Fe

Technology takes a step forward over the previous model, with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane keep assist and lane departure warnings all standard on the new car. This vehicle also sports a Safety Exit Assist system, which uses sensors in the rear of the car to prevent rear-seat passengers from opening their doors into the path of approaching traffic – and also warns front-seat passengers if they are about to do so.

7. Ford KA+ Active crossover

This new vehicle features a ride height raised by 23 millimetres and exterior styling enhanced with a unique black finish for the upper and lower front grilles, and roof rails for carrying bikes and sports equipment. It’s designed support active lifestyles.

Interesting design from Ford

8. Peugeot 508

With a lot of talk of crossovers and SUVs it’s nice to see an alternative. Peugeot has moved from a saloon to a fastback bodystyle as the segment battles growing SUV sales. One press report from Ireland described the new design as “desirable”.

The 508 presents a very sleek, sporty design to market

9. Aston Martin Lagonda Vision

This is Aston’s vision of the future. The Lagonda is an opulent vehicle envisioning a self-driving future where the interior of the car becomes the main focus for its occupants. With help from clothing designers Aston has produced something extremely luxurious. This is a concept model.

Described as “breathtaking” Lagonda will be a luxurious electrified sub-brand from Aston Martin

10. McLaren Senna

And finally we’ll finish with another talking point: the look of the new McLaren Senna has been divisive – its certainly not particularly pretty from its rear three-quarter view. It sports McLaren’s 4.0 twin-turbo V8 producing 789bhp: and is seen by many as a track replacement for the P1.

]]>66761Ireland bracing for influx of UK business importshttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/02/ireland-bracing-influx-uk-business-imports/
Wed, 21 Feb 2018 09:14:22 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66911PRESS RELEASE Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie has today (21st February) expressed its concern that a UK interpretation of its consumer protection laws could see the number of company imports coming into Ireland shoot up. One million UK car buyers unknowingly bought an ex-rental or company car in the UK in the past 12 […]

PRESS RELEASE

Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie has today (21st February) expressed its concern that a UK interpretation of its consumer protection laws could see the number of company imports coming into Ireland shoot up.

One million UK car buyers unknowingly bought an ex-rental or company car in the UK in the past 12 months. Now the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled the fact a vehicle was an ex-fleet vehicle constitutes “material information” and should be disclosed to the consumer.

The issue raised its head after publication of a guidance note issued by the ASA in the wake of its criticism of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK and Glyn Hopkin in October 2017 for advertising two ex-fleet cars for sale without disclosing that they were previously used for business purposes. The ASA in its ruling in that matter stated:

We considered that if a dealer was aware that a vehicle was ex-fleet because it had previously been used for business purposes, then that was material information likely to influence a consumer’s decision to purchase it. Furthermore, if a dealer knew that such an ex-fleet vehicle was used by multiple users, then that too, was material information for consumers to make an informed decision.”

Following the ASA ruling in October 2017 Gateshead Council Trading Standards ruled against Peugeot Citroen Retail UK in January for an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 when a customer bought a car in January 2017 for around £10,000 and was told at the time of sale that the car had had one previous owner, when in fact the previous owner was an international car hire firm. The company pleaded guilty to the offence and were fined £5,000 plus costs of £500. The court also ordered the company to pay the customer £1,000 in compensation.

Cartell.ie is concerned that the fallout from the Hopkin decision and the Peugeot Citroen Retail UK case may result in an influx of ex-fleet UK vehicles into Ireland.

Jeff Aherne, Director, Cartell.ie, says:

Our biggest fear is that if the UK motor industry fail to prevent this situation escalating it will be the courts and other regulatory bodies setting the value of second-hand cars rather than the marketplace. The levels of compensation for loss in value potentially awarded in the wake of the Peugeot Citroen Retail UK case could be on a scale which would make it financially attractive to move ex-fleet vehicles out of a developing two-tier UK market and into Ireland – where the benefits of ex-fleet vehicles are better understood”.

While the cross-border flow of used vehicles ebbs and flows with exchange rates and other factors, the risk of ex-fleet vehicles flooding into Ireland could have an impact on used values, which are tracked monthly by Cartell.ie in the “Trade Retail Guide”. A UK Trading Standards decision causing a significant increase in company imports is not something we want to see as the impact on the Irish car market – and particularly on used values – would be large,” Aherne concluded.

One of the difficulties for the UK dealer network is obtaining information the vehicle in question was an ex-fleet vehicle. While this information is readily available in the Irish market – a Cartell.ie Car History Check will tell if an Irish vehicle was a company vehicle or a taxi/hackney and its tax class – it isn’t obtainable in the same way in the UK.

On the question of values: fleet vehicles are actually seen as a good used car purchase. These vehicles are generally well maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ schedules and are in good condition. Cartell.ie would not be in agreement then with the ASA ruling in the Hopkin case when it dismissed the argument that ex-business single use vehicles might be at least as well maintained as ex-private vehicles.

Cartell is the market leader in automotive data services. As well as confirming whether a vehicle has outstanding car finance, is recorded as a taxi/hackney, or has previously been written-off, a Cartell Car Check also confirms many other details, including the make, model, colour, door plan, and engine size. Cartell can also supply you with a full UK vehicle history check through its partners HPI UK.

HPI are the market leaders in the UK and have been the No.1 supplier of car history data since their launch in 1938. Cartell is the only company in Ireland with licensed access to HPI UK data and the National Mileage Register in the UK, which holds over 200 million readings. In 2006, it established the official National Mileage Register, Ireland’s largest database of mileages with almost 20 million readings, to alert car buyers and dealers to potential mileage discrepancies.

]]>66911What is it about Tuesdays?… The most popular day to buy a used car in Irelandhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/02/blog_tuesdays/
Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:43:48 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66811In February 2014 Vehicle History Expert Cartell.ie reported the most popular day to buy or sell a motor vehicle in 2013 was a Tuesday. Read that article here. Fast-forward 4 years and Cartell data continues to show the most popular day to buy a used car in Ireland remains as Tuesday. Looking further into this, […]

]]>66811Native Irish Fleet Lowest Since 2006 – As Imports Soarhttps://www.cartell.ie/2018/01/native-irish-fleet-lowest-since-2006-imports-soar/
Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:47:41 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66671Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (January 31st) that the size of the native Irish fleet is now at its lowest level since March 2006 (1.78 million) as imports soar (488k). The size of the native fleet (vehicles first registered in Ireland) fell quite dramatically in the final quarter of 2017: recording 1.85 […]

]]>Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (January 31st) that the size of the native Irish fleet is now at its lowest level since March 2006 (1.78 million) as imports soar (488k). The size of the native fleet (vehicles first registered in Ireland) fell quite dramatically in the final quarter of 2017: recording 1.85 million in September falling to 1.78 million by the end of December.

Cartell.ie tracked the size of the fleet (both native fleet and imported fleet) on the first day of each month between January 1999 and January 2018. Between January 2017 and January 2018 the imported fleet has increased in size from 444,217 to 487,492 (+43,275). For the equivalent period the native fleet has declined from 1,838,573 to 1,784,716 (-53,857).

The size of the fleet oscillates throughout the year as vehicles leave the fleet and others enter (new and imported). However the decline in size of the native fleet since September has been particularly notable.

John Byrne, Legal and Public Relations Manager, Cartell.ie, says:

The impact of imports has been noticeable in 2017 as owners retire native vehicles and look to replace them with imported vehicles in ever increasing numbers. We would see imports remaining strong in 2018 alongside a curb in demand for new diesel vehicles. While hybrid and electric vehicle sales will continue to dominate headlines with analysts waiting for a headwind to bring in larger numbers of sales it’s still likely the dominate theme for 2018 will be imports.”

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>66671China plug-in and electric vehicle sales in 2017https://www.cartell.ie/2018/01/china-plug-electric-vehicle-sales-2017/
Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:37:42 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66631Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is publishing a blog that appeared on car communications site carandus.com. China sold 777k new-energy vehicles – plug-in and electric vehicle – in 2017, a whopping 53% increase over 2016, according to Green Car Reports. The massive growth in plug-in and electric vehicle sales can be attributed to government subsidies that support domestically […]

The massive growth in plug-in and electric vehicle sales can be attributed to government subsidies that support domestically produced models. Of the total new-energy vehicles cold, 579k are passenger vehicles. The remaining sales are commercial vehicles, such as electric buses and delivery trucks.

Yet, the total number of NEV’s sold in the country represents just a drop in the bucket – 2.7% – of China’s total vehicle market, which reached 28.9 million vehicles last year.

In comparison, U.S. sales reached 17.2 million vehicles in 2017, of which between 190 and 200k were either electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Meanwhile, EVs and PHEVs are expected to contribute to just under 1% of overall sales volume in Canada.

The growth of plug-in and electric vehicles sales in China exploded in the second half of 2017.

Toward the end of December, China announced it would extend incentives on NEVs into 2020, which is almost guaranteed to further fuel electric-vehicle sales growth there.

]]>66631Finance Levels Rise Again – now 14.3%https://www.cartell.ie/2018/01/finance-levels-rise-now-14-3/
Tue, 02 Jan 2018 09:05:47 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=65681PRESS RELEASE Vehicle data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (2nd January) that the proportion of vehicles offered for sale (across all years) with finance outstanding is 14.3% – up from 12.5% in July 2017 and 11.5% in January 2017. From a sample of over 5,906 vehicles offered for sale and checked via the Cartell.ie website in 2017 it was […]

Vehicle data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (2nd January) that the proportion of vehicles offered for sale (across all years) with finance outstanding is 14.3% – up from 12.5% in July 2017 and 11.5% in January 2017. From a sample of over 5,906 vehicles offered for sale and checked via the Cartell.ie website in 2017 it was found that overall levels of finance have increased 24.3% in 12 months since January and 51% in 18 months since June 2016 when the rate recorded was 9.5%.

In terms of the overall picture 14.3% of all vehicles checked with Cartell.ie so far in 2017 have finance outstanding. This is up from 11.5% in January and 9.5% in June 2016. These are very significant jumps. To give you some idea where we are coming from the levels of finance outstanding was 7% in December 2014 meaning the rate has doubled in three years. A buyer is advised to check a vehicle for outstanding finance as the finance house owns the vehicle until the last payment has been made – the bottom line is that you can lose the vehicle.”

ENDS

About Cartell.ie:

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>65681Giving Our Customers Good Advice!https://www.cartell.ie/2017/12/giving-customers-good-advice/
Fri, 15 Dec 2017 14:47:38 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66371Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is writing about our customer experience with our service in a series of blogs. Recently we helped Niamh* who was interested in buying a vehicle which was a previous import. She spoke to our team about the best option for her and we explained a three star check will include the […]

]]>Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is writing about our customer experience with our service in a series of blogs. Recently we helped Niamh* who was interested in buying a vehicle which was a previous import. She spoke to our team about the best option for her and we explained a three star check will include the history and finance for Ireland and Northern Ireland. We explained the Northern Irish check is detailed and includes finance alerts, damage alerts and stolen alerts for the vehicle in that jurisdiction.

She wanted to know what else she can do to protect herself if her Cartell check came back clear and how long does it take to get a check. Our team advised her that the process is instant upon payment in the vast, vast majority of cases and the report will appear on the computer screen in front of her and go to her email. We advised her to buy the vehicle from a reputable dealer where possible or proceed with caution in the case of a private sale: she should look to purchase the vehicle with a warranty if possible if buying from a dealer. If she was still unsure for any reason she might look to engage the services of an automotive engineer or mechanic.

Niamh was delighted and said:

[Cartell Staff member] was helpful and quick to respond, gave me the confidence I wanted to proceed with the check”.

]]>6637110 Worst Driving Habitshttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/12/10-worst-driving-habits/
Thu, 14 Dec 2017 11:19:48 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=66291Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is looking at bad habits on the roads. A lot of bad driving habits can be dangerous ones as well – like this morning when Cartell.ie observed a van driver texting while on the motorway and drifting into the overtaking lane – this type of behaviour is dangerous! Do not text while […]

]]>Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is looking at bad habits on the roads. A lot of bad driving habits can be dangerous ones as well – like this morning when Cartell.ie observed a van driver texting while on the motorway and drifting into the overtaking lane – this type of behaviour is dangerous! Do not text while driving! Others, like throwing rubbish out the window, are annoying and distracting not to mention harmful to our own countryside! Let’s try and clean up our act a bit when we are driving on the roads!

Below you’ll find an infographic from our friends at Southside Motor Factors which details the top 10 worst driving habits as calculated from a study by The Fuelcard Company:

]]>66291Age of Fleet Falls as Imports at all-time highhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/11/age-fleet-falls-imports-time-high/
Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:43:45 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=65171PRESS RELEASE Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (November 29th) that the age of the fleet in Ireland is falling while the size of the imported fleet reaches an all-time high. Cartell.ie first tracked the average age of all native private vehicles in Ireland (excluding imports) for each month between 1999 and 2017. […]

Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (November 29th) that the age of the fleet in Ireland is falling while the size of the imported fleet reaches an all-time high.

Cartell.ie first tracked the average age of all native private vehicles in Ireland (excluding imports) for each month between 1999 and 2017. Between January 2017 and November 2017 the fleet age has fallen by 75 days. Next Cartell.ie tracked the age of imported vehicles into Ireland for each month between 1999 and 2017 and found that between January 2017 to November 2017 the age of the imported Irish fleet has fallen by 112 days as buyers are bringing in newer vehicles.

The overall age of the imported fleet has fallen in 2017 but still stands higher than the native fleet. The age of the native fleet currently stands at 8.62 years while the age of the imported fleet stands at 9.02 years: which is the youngest recorded age for the imported fleet since July 2011. The overall age of the private fleet in Ireland (native and imported) stands at 8.7 years (3,181 days): representing a decline of 80 days since January 2017.

Cartell.ie next looked at the size of the imported fleet in Ireland for every month between 1999 and 2017 and found that the size of the imported fleet is now at an all-time high with 480,606 vehicles registered in Ireland after previous registration in a different country. The size of the private fleet (native and imported) stood at 2,289,922 on 1st November 2017.

John Byrne, Legal & Public Relations Manager, Cartell.ie, says:

The size of the private fleet in Ireland continues to grow but the age is declining: imports are reducing the age of the Irish fleet as buyers move up the years and bring in a car from the UK. Possibly buyers are importing newer vehicles without retiring older vehicles in the fleet – this may explain why the age is declining while the size is still increasing. The imported fleet now stands at nearly half a million vehicles. Buyers should be careful when importing a vehicle as it may carry a hidden history from another country – such as where the vehicle was previously written-off or still has finance outstanding on it, or was clocked.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Table 1: Size and Age of Private Fleet on 1st November between 2006 and 2017

Date

Size of Fleet

Age of Fleet Days

Age of Fleet (Years)

01/11/2006

2011091

2268

6.2094

01/11/2007

2153439

2339

6.4038

01/11/2008

2250435

2439

6.6776

01/11/2009

2226866

2619

7.1704

01/11/2010

2226909

2765

7.5702

01/11/2011

2226300

2893

7.9206

01/11/2012

2219383

3037

8.3149

01/11/2013

2225541

3175

8.6927

01/11/2014

2215663

3209

8.7858

01/11/2015

2251916

3255

8.9117

01/11/2016

2297251

3239

8.8679

01/11/2017

2289922

3181

8.7091

Table 2: Size and Age of Private Fleet on 1st day of each month in 2017

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>65171Donal O’Brien RIPhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/11/donal-obrien-rip/
Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:31:10 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=65201It’s with great sadness that we mark the loss of one of our faithful and energetic trade customers Donal O’Brien. His daughter Nicole sent us a beautiful tribute which we are posting here in his honour. Donal was always brought up around cars as his father John ran a car business on Friars walk in […]

]]>It’s with great sadness that we mark the loss of one of our faithful and energetic trade customers Donal O’Brien. His daughter Nicole sent us a beautiful tribute which we are posting here in his honour.

Donal was always brought up around cars as his father John ran a car business on Friars walk in Cork City. Donal started off as a mechanic in Keary’s and built his way up to his well known business on Kinsale road after he and his brother Jonathan first set up a shared premises on Tramore road. Jonathan has his own business on Tramore road and his youngest brother Jason has his own business on Tramore road shared with father John. They are all tremendously close in every sense of the word. Even though motorsport was such a passion of Donal’s he absolutely adored his family and he is my best friend.”

The following is taken from a status posted by Cork Motor Club around the time of his passing.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we learn of the passing of our friend and club member Donal O’Brien. Donal sadly passed away yesterday following a road collision near his home in Ballincollig Co. Cork on May 14th.

Donal was a larger than life figure with a passion for motorsport. Donal was a long-time member of CMC, who will be fondly remembered by all for his determination in the car and his lovable roguery outside. Always keen to help out and support motorsport in anyway, Donal was a former Clerk of the Course for CMCs Summer Autotest and was a regular club marshal. Donal also was one of the founding members of Mallow Autograss and played such a contributing part in their extremely successful round 1 of the British Autograss Series this year in May.

As a youth, Donal’s introduction to competitive motorsport was in karting where he quickly set a name for himself as being a blisteringly quick, determined competitor. In his teens Donal moved on to single-seater racing where this trend continued as Donal’s experience grew. Donal took part in his very first rally in his early 20s in a Ford Escort MK2. The Escort was soon traded for a RWD Ford Fiesta where a combination of this unusual little car combined with Donal’s flamboyant driving style quickly made a name for him within rallying circles. The Fiesta was changed in 1999 for the famous ex Donie O’Sullivan “Silver Bullet” 2.4 Mk2 Escort, which Donal used to set the stages alight over the next couple of years.

Donal took a sabbatical from rallying in the early 2000s to concentrate on his successful car sales business on the Kinsale Road. Donal was so determined to have a successful business and was truly a hard worker and an inspiration to many. Motorsport however was never far from Donal’s mind as proved by his involvement as founding member of Mallow Autograss Club in 2003. Donal first started in class 8 and bought his younger brother Jason racing around England where Jason was in Juniors and eventually they raced against each other in class 8. A lot of people got confused and used to called Jason Donal’s son! By the end of the decade he was back competing once more, this time in top level Autograss, where once again, he set a name for himself as being the man to beat in Class 7, both here at home and throughout the UK. Autograss is our family sport and Donal’s daughter Nicole started racing from the age of 12 and is still carrying it on.

In 2013 Donal returned to the stages in a 2.0 16V Escort G4 and from the outset it was clear that Donal had lost none of his pace. In 2015 The G4 was traded for his famous Yellow 2.5 Mk2 Escort and Donal became a regular top 10 front runner throughout the country – delighting rally fans along the way. Donal called his Mk2 his baby and he loved that car.”

]]>65201Waiting for First Registration in Irelandhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/11/waiting-first-registration-ireland/
Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:43:37 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=64931Continuing our series of blogs on how we help our customers we recently helped Tom* when he was looking to do a vehicle history check on an imported vehicle. Tom had heard our story in the media that an imported vehicle may come with a hidden history and he was anxious to do a vehicle […]

]]>Continuing our series of blogs on how we help our customers we recently helped Tom* when he was looking to do a vehicle history check on an imported vehicle. Tom had heard our story in the media that an imported vehicle may come with a hidden history and he was anxious to do a vehicle history check before he proceeded to buy the car. When he went on our website he was concerned that the vehicle registration number he entered did not show a match yet. He got onto our Customer Service team via live chat and asked them why this would be the case and whether he should be concerned. Our team talked him through the process and advised him that once the VRT process is completed the vehicle will be assigned a vehicle registration number in Ireland. The best history check to do is the three star check as it covers the UK data as well as the Irish data for both history and finance. Tom was delighted with the information and left the following comment:

]]>64931Cartell.ie offer Discounts for Electric Vehicle Car History Checks!https://www.cartell.ie/2017/10/cartell-ie-offer-discounts-electric-vehicle-car-history-checks/
Fri, 20 Oct 2017 14:51:40 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=64531Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is offering our customers €10 off a Three Star and Two Star vehicle history check when the vehicle you are checking is an Electric Vehicle (EV). Furthermore the discount is applied automatically when you enter the registration number of the vehicle: our system will detect it’s an EV and will make […]

]]>Vehicle history expert Cartell.ie is offering our customers €10 off a Three Star and Two Star vehicle history check when the vehicle you are checking is an Electric Vehicle (EV). Furthermore the discount is applied automatically when you enter the registration number of the vehicle: our system will detect it’s an EV and will make available the reduced prices to you. Remember the discount applies only to the Three Star and Two Star options and does not apply to a Finance only check.

When you enter the registration number of an Electric Vehicle (EV) the system automatically discounts the price of a Three Star and Two Star Vehicle History Check

Cartell.ie recently took ownership of a new Nissan Leaf as part of our Green Fleet Programme. The Leaf will join our fleet of vehicles and it enjoys Zero Emissions as it is 100% Electric and has a range of 250Kms on a single charge – it can also be fast-charged to 80% in under 25 minutes. As there is no engine to service this means no issues with timing belt, clutch, gearbox, points or exhaust to replace.

In common with many companies Cartell.ie is concerned to protect our environment for future generations. We are looking to create a positive environmental impact by purchasing a fleet car which affords zero emissions. We also anticipate this vehicle will reduce our running costs significantly- possibly by as much as 82% over a diesel car. The Leaf should also reduce driver fatigue by affording stress-free driving assisted by a silent automatic drivetrain. The Leaf also moderates driver speed.

Cartell also proudly supports Electronomous: Aiming to become the Leading Car Technology Event in Europe over the coming years and in collaboration with global industry leaders Electronomous addresses the Connected Car, Autonomous vehicles, Electric and Hybrid Car models and the technology that will populate the future automotive landscape.

]]>64531Upgrading to a Three Star Check!https://www.cartell.ie/2017/10/upgrading-three-star-check/
Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:02:34 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=64301Vehicle history checking expert Cartell.ie is looking at how we help our customers. Recently we helped Frank* with history for an imported vehicle. A Three Star History and Finance check with Cartell.ie will provide the UK history and finance data for the vehicle as well as the Irish history and finance. Frank originally did a […]

]]>Vehicle history checking expert Cartell.ie is looking at how we help our customers. Recently we helped Frank* with history for an imported vehicle. A Three Star History and Finance check with Cartell.ie will provide the UK history and finance data for the vehicle as well as the Irish history and finance. Frank originally did a Two Star check – Irish history only – and then he got in touch via our new Live Chat function and asked if we could discuss his report with him. Our Customer Service team were happy to phone him back to discuss.

We help consumers every day to decide which vehicle to purchase

Frank saw from his report that the vehicle he was checking was exported from the UK and then imported into Ireland. Our trained team was able to talk him through the issues here and suggested he should upgrade to a Three Star report for €15 to see the UK history and finance data for the vehicle. Frank was very glad he got both Irish and UK history checks on the vehicle as there were multiple import and export markers for the vehicle and doing the UK check gave him a clearer picture of its history. Frank was a first-time user of the service, and, despite being a bit reluctant at first he saw the benefit of getting a complete picture before making his decision whether to buy the vehicle or not.

By upgrading to the Three Star Check Frank was able to check the current mileage for the vehicle against the National Mileage Register in the UK. He was also able to see if the vehicle was written-off or had finance outstanding or any other markers indicating a hidden history.

Frank said:

[Cartell staff member] was very helpful to make me understand the check as there were multiple import and export flags. She advised me to upgrade to the UK report to understand more and I did. €15 well spent I guess even if I was a bit reluctant at the time.”

]]>64301How We Help our Customers!https://www.cartell.ie/2017/10/how-we-help-our-customers/
Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:36:53 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63831Vehicle History expert Cartell.ie, in the first of a series of blogs, is looking at personal interest stories from customers who have used the service. One customer, Deirdre* called about the mileage discrepancy showing on her Cartell.ie history check. Our dedicated Customer Service team, advised her the car appeared to have lost approximately 30 thousand […]

]]>Vehicle History expert Cartell.ie, in the first of a series of blogs, is looking at personal interest stories from customers who have used the service. One customer, Deirdre* called about the mileage discrepancy showing on her Cartell.ie history check. Our dedicated Customer Service team, advised her the car appeared to have lost approximately 30 thousand miles in 3 years – between its MOTs – AND furthermore it was a Category D write-off.

Deirdre was a first-time customer and had completed a Cartell.ie History Check; she called and asked about two alerts: one was the mileage discrepancy as mentioned above. We advised her to ask for service history so we can look into it further for her. In cases like these should service history be provided we can look to verify its accuracy and mileage, in many cases, can be amended – we’re happy to help!

As well as the mileage discrepancy Deirdre was informed that the vehicle was a Category D write off – most customers are unaware of what this means: essentially it means there was damage to the vehicle made available to Cartell.ie by an insurance company and in this case the cost of repair was obviously more than the value of the vehicle. However, and this is the critical point, the vehicle could be repaired and put back on the road. Here at Cartell.ie we always recommend an engineers report to ensure the vehicle is structurally sound, the repair work has been carried out to a safe, satisfactory, roadworthy standard and to help the customer make an informed decision about a vehicle purchase. Unfortunately some insurance companies do not have to insure you in circumstances such as these, and, also, the damage stays with the vehicle for the remainder of its life on the road – which can impact on its market value.

All of this information was explained to Deirdre, who was very complimentary of the service, she was glad to have used Cartell and was delighted to have found out all the information before spending money on a bad vehicle. As a valued customer Deirdre was given a discount for her next Car History check with Cartell.ie.

This was my first time to use the service and I want to compliment you guys on it. I’m glad I used it and delighted to have found out all the information before buying a car”.

]]>63831Updated- “Clocking” Surges in Irelandhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/09/clocking-surges-ireland/
Sun, 24 Sep 2017 15:09:41 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63651PRESS RELEASE -11% of domestic vehicles recorded mileage discrepancies (clocked or suspicious) – 18.43% of imported vehicles recorded mileage discrepancies (clocked or suspicious) 1 in 10 second hand cars for sale in Ireland has a false mileage displayed according to the largest study of its kind ever conducted. The figure is even worse for cars […]

1 in 10 second hand cars for sale in Ireland has a false mileage displayed according to the largest study of its kind ever conducted. The figure is even worse for cars imported from the UK where nearly 1 in 5 has an unreliable or questionable mileage reading.

The study was carried out by Cartell.ie in co-operation with AA Ireland. Over 120,000 vehicles were checked on the Cartell.ie database, which is the most complete vehicle database in the country. Cartell.ie provides data searches and history checks, including for AA Ireland, and uniquely has full access to UK data, write-off data and other information for both jurisdictions.

The results show that “clocking” is widespread in the market locally and is worse for potential buyers of UK vehicles.

Cartell.ie and AA Ireland examined a random sample of 60,047 vehicle history checks on Irish vehicles carried out recently by potential buyers. Of those checks 11.04% returned mileage discrepancies (6634/60047) – which would each require further investigation to establish if the vehicle had been “clocked” in a given case.

In addition, a supplementary study which examined a random sample of 64,742 vehicles which displayed at least two mileage readings on the National Mileage Register (NMR), where at least one entry was added in the last 12 months, found that 11.15% of these vehicles had a mileage discrepancy.

The supplementary study also examined a random sample of 13,026 imported vehicles (vehicles which currently display an Irish registration but previously had a UK or Northern Ireland plate) which displayed at least two mileage readings on the NMR and one entry in the last 12 months. This aspect of the study found that imported vehicles were significantly more likely to have been clocked, with 18.43% of the imported cars assessed as having a mileage discrepancy.

These results represent a rise in the overall numbers of both domestic and imported vehicles recording a mileage discrepancy since the enactment of legislation criminalising the practice in 2014.

In 2013 the Government reviewed the NCT mileages on 59,528 cars and found that 9.8% of those returned lower mileages on a subsequent test – in other words returned a mileage discrepancy. Those vehicles would have all been at least 4 years old and this may have impacted on the result.

John Byrne, Legal and Public Relations Manager, Cartell.ie, says:

We wanted to get a clear picture of the extent of “clocking” in Ireland both with respect to domestic vehicles and imports. Based on an overall study of more than 120,000 vehicles these results are very concerning: on the Irish side we are painting a picture worse than the Government did when they conducted their own research in 2013 when they returned a rate of 9.8%. More worrying still is the situation with respect to imports – at 18.43% this rate is alarming. We would encourage anyone who is importing a vehicle to conduct a vehicle history check before buying and take your time with respect to the purchase of any new vehicle.”

Commenting on the report’s findings Conor Faughnan, Director of Consumer Affairs at AA Ireland stated, “Clocking is a very serious issue and something that anyone looking at purchasing a second hand car, whether in Ireland or from the UK, needs to watch out for. For example, our AA Rescue team regularly encounter car breakdowns which can be directly connected back to mileage discrepancies in the car. If a car has been clocked it’s highly likely that the car also has a questionable service history so, for example, a motorist could think their car isn’t due a service for another few months but then suddenly find their timing belt has snapped.”

“Repairing damage associated with car clocking can be very expensive and it’s also more likely that someone who owns a clocked car will experience a breakdown. Anyone looking at purchasing a second hand car in the near future, particularly if it’s a UK import should consider their breakdown assistance options to ensure they avoid any lengthy delays in the hard shoulder,” Faughnan added. Clocking is now a criminal offence in the Republic of Ireland pursuant to section 14 of the Road Traffic Act 2014. Cartell had long campaigned for the introduction of such an offence. In 2010, Cartell presented to the Dáil draft legislation which sought to criminalise the practice. That legislation was initially rejected by the Government but a modified version of it was subsequently moved as a Private Members Bill in December 2012. The Government then decided to move on the issue.

Cartell also conducted a final study where we looked at 25,140 vehicles checked recently on Cartell.ie on their UK or Northern Ireland plate. The percentage of mileage discrepancies returned was high at 21.66% (5447/25140). These vehicles may not have been imported into Ireland and for that reason the result was not considered part of the primary findings. The high percentage may be explained that potential buyers were running checks on vehicles which had already raised their suspicions – e.g. because of a low selling price.

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>63651UK to become leader in connected and autonomous technologyhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/09/uk-become-leader-connected-autonomous-technology/
Tue, 19 Sep 2017 08:39:32 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63581Vehicle History and Data expert Cartell.ie is re-posting the blog post over on our partner site Carandus.com. The UK Government has launched a new initiative for the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV), according to Autovista Group. The project, called Meridian, is jointly founded by the government’s £100 million CAV investment programme and by industry, and will create […]

]]>Vehicle History and Data expert Cartell.ie is re-posting the blog post over on our partner site Carandus.com.

The UK Government has launched a new initiative for the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV), according to Autovista Group.

The project, called Meridian, is jointly founded by the government’s £100 million CAV investment programme and by industry, and will create a cluster of excellence along the country’s M40 motorway corridor between the cities of Coventry and London, to accelerate the development of this technology, grow intellectual capital and attract overseas investment in the UK.

By 2035, the government predicts that the global market for CAV technologies will be worth £907 billion.

The launch of the Meridian follows a call for evidence by the Centre of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) in May 2016 into how the UK can integrate and strengthen its CAV testing facilities and to consider the case for a test bed to provide a focus for the industry.

By establishing a leadership position for the UK in CAV technologies, the government believes the UK market could reach £52 billion (€58 billion) by 2035. In addition, the UK will have over 27,000 jobs connected to the sector by this time, with 70% of these estimated to be highly-skilled professional and technical roles in software-related industries.

]]>63581Intel to build fleet of 100 autonomous vehicleshttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/09/intel-build-fleet-100-autonomous-vehicles/
Mon, 11 Sep 2017 10:36:51 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63461Vehicle History and Data expert Cartell.ie is re-posting the blog post over on our partner site Carandus.com. Cartell.ie recently announced the launch of “Electronomous”. Electronomous addresses the Connected Car, Autonomous vehicles, Electric and Hybrid Car models and the technology that will populate the future automotive landscape.Following its takeover of Mobileye, Intel is planning to build […]

]]>Vehicle History and Data expert Cartell.ie is re-posting the blog post over on our partner site Carandus.com. Cartell.ie recently announced the launch of “Electronomous”. Electronomous addresses the Connected Car, Autonomous vehicles, Electric and Hybrid Car models and the technology that will populate the future automotive landscape.Following its takeover of Mobileye, Intel is planning to build a fleet of more than 100 autonomous vehicles for testing fully autonomous driving in Europe, Israel and the USA, according to Vehicle Electronics.

Amnon Shashua, senior VP of Intel and future CEO of Mobileye said that ‘Geographic diversity is very important as different regions have very diverse driving styles as well as different road conditions and signage. Our goal is to develop autonomous vehicle technology that can be deployed anywhere.’

These autonomous vehicles will combine proprietary capabilities from Mobileye, including computer vision, sensing, fusion, mapping and driving policy along with Intel’s open compute platforms and expertise in data centre and 5G communications technologies to deliver a complete car-to-cloud system. The fleet will include multiple car brands and vehicle types to demonstrate the technology’s agnostic nature.While this technology is being tested, Carandus.com allows its users to send messages to each other, improving road connectivity.

]]>63461New technologies could save petrol and dieselhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/09/new-technologies-save-petrol-diesel/
Thu, 07 Sep 2017 09:04:22 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63441Vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE is looking at the blog posted over on Carandus.com about the switch to low emission vehicles. Cartell.ie already started our move to zero emissions when we purchased our first Nissan Leaf last year. Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly switching to low to zero emission alternatives, after Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal and […]

Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly switching to low to zero emission alternatives, after Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal and petrol’s high CO2 emissions, according to Autovista Group.

Petrol power emits higher CO2 levels, leading manufacturers towards diesel, which emits less CO2 and therefore helps them achieve a lower overall carbon footprint. However, this has resulted in other consequences with higher levels of nitrogen oxides, which are known to cause serious health issues and have been linked to further air pollution issues.

Some manufacturers are trying to develop technology that will allow them to continue running petrol vehicles, with Mazda launching a new engine, which does away with spark plugs and works on the same principle as diesel, using compression to produce the ignition of fuel and therefore making the engine more efficient and less polluting.

Delphi has also developed a fuel saving technology using petrol, improving efficiency figures without the risk of further pollutants.

Bosch has also developed synthetic fuels; whose manufacturing process involves capturing CO2. This means that this greenhouse gas can become a raw material from which synthetic petrol and diesel can be produced, and when produced together with renewable energy sources, the fuel is carbon-neutral.

Synthetic fuels are still away from becoming a reality in the motoring industry once the processing facilities are expensive to set up. However, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy is supporting synthetic fuels as part of its alternative energies in transportation initiative.

]]>63441475,000 Irish Diesel Owners could get Trade-In Bonushttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/08/475000-irish-diesel-owners-get-trade-bonus/
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 08:15:30 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63261PRESS RELEASE Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie reports today (16th August) on the numbers of Diesel Euro 4 (EU4) emission standard vehicles and below in the Irish fleet that could be entitled to a trade-in bonus. With reports in the media that some vehicle manufacturers are set to introduce diesel scrappage schemes to incentivise […]

Vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie reports today (16th August) on the numbers of Diesel Euro 4 (EU4) emission standard vehicles and below in the Irish fleet that could be entitled to a trade-in bonus.

With reports in the media that some vehicle manufacturers are set to introduce diesel scrappage schemes to incentivise the roll-out of electric mobility and low emission vehicles, Cartell found the total number of private diesel cars in the Irish fleet EUR 4 (EU4) or below (which would be eligible for such schemes) is currently 474,624.

Vehicle manufacturers such as BMW are clearly making moves to take older diesel-powered-vehicles off the road. We feel the market has reached tipping point now and the consumer is ready to adopt low emission vehicles if the incentives are there. The numbers we are publishing today show the manufacturers can make considerable inroads by focusing simply on EU4 emission standard vehicles and below where there are almost half a million vehicles in play.”

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>63261Cartell.ie adds Spanish Data to its VRM optionshttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/08/cartell-ie-adds-spanish-data-vrm-options/
Thu, 03 Aug 2017 10:59:46 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=63061Vehicle History and Data expert Cartell.ie is delighted to announce that Spanish data has now been added to our VRM options. The Spanish option is added to our growing stable which already includes VRM for ROI, UK/NI, Portugal, Holland and Malta. Jeff Aherne, Director, Cartell.ie says: We’re delighted to make this service option available. In an ever-growing international supply […]

]]>Vehicle History and Data expert Cartell.ie is delighted to announce that Spanish data has now been added to our VRM options. The Spanish option is added to our growing stable which already includes VRM for ROI, UK/NI, Portugal, Holland and Malta.

We’re delighted to make this service option available. In an ever-growing international supply chain the demand for international data has grown and Cartell.ie has been listening closely to our Customers needs. Adding Spanish data to a stable that already includes Portuguese and Maltese as well as Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom data makes Cartell.ie an international option for our existing Customers and for those needing those services.”

]]>63061Road Tripping in the USAhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/07/road-tripping-usa/
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 07:55:36 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=62881Our guy Dean Perry was in New York recently – driving around the Big Apple. Here’s how he got on: Given the keys to quite possibly one of the largest unsung heroes of the motoring world (maybe not), in the biggest and wildest city in the world, what do you do? That’s right go for […]

]]>Our guy Dean Perry was in New York recently – driving around the Big Apple. Here’s how he got on:

Given the keys to quite possibly one of the largest unsung heroes of the motoring world (maybe not), in the biggest and wildest city in the world, what do you do? That’s right go for a good oul drive.

My first time ever driving a left-hand drive vehicle and I threw myself in the deep end with it being in New York City. The previous days leading up to the collection of the car I was discovering this amazing country using taxis and the subway system, I continually asked myself why am I about to drive in this crazy place? The drivers are nuts and the soundtrack of the city really is that well-known mix of car horns and emergency-service-sirens; never has a place been better known for its distinct sounds of thousands of vehicles all rushing to find the fastest route around a concrete jungle.

Dean’s wheels for the week in New York City

Turning up on collection day at West 49th street Midtown, I was first greeted with a vehicle that, to be completely honest, I had not much affinity with since it started production – the Kia Soul. The 1.6 petrol 130hp engine mated to a 6-speed-automatic transmission sounds like a recipe for a disaster to us diesel loving Irish, however as it turned out it was the perfect vehicle to travel the great USA in.

So, after the paperwork was signed I was on my way, let loose with 130 rampant horses on the streets of the craziest city in the world! Almost straight away the horns of the impatient yellow cab drivers in their battered hybrid Camry’s were ringing in my ears, however, after only a few minutes the Kia and I were cruising up 8th avenue with not a care in the world.

Driving upstate in New York

With no location set for the day of collection a cheeky spin around the city was in order. Driving blocks and blocks until I circled back to Times Square to discover the difficulties of the real NYC. However, again no issues but for the constant presence of the almost maniac like yellow cabs and the multitude of Uber drivers.

Many drivers undertake and expose gaps that would put an F1 driver to shame as they set about making the fastest possible time to their destination, after all time is money! In a way, somehow, it reminds me of a busy rush-hour filled M50, with many drivers treating the roads as an obstacle course, this strangely created an element of fun while driving. After very little time I was the one using the horn to express my anger towards the slower drivers, even if the lights only turned green milliseconds beforehand!!!

After navigating through the busy streets of NYC, it was time to retire the Kia for the night in my hotel’s underground parking lot on 31st and 7th. Unsurprisingly like many major cities parking prices are restrictive and for the 12 hours the car was resting the price came to a whopping $53!

Soon the 4th of July was upon the United States, and, warned of the high levels of traffic expected to be leaving the city, an early start was required; so at 8am on the 4th the car was pulled to the front of the hotel and jam packed with all the necessary luggage. This, however, had been needless, as no traffic was to be seen! The cruise control was set to 55mph and the Kia set about eating up the miles for the 2 hour journey to Poughkeepsie upstate New York.

Soon into the trip the roads widened to 6 lane highways and the Kia was in its element. However, this was all to change as the road started to climb and narrowed to 2 lanes on the Taconic highway. The 55mph speed limit on a narrow bending stretch of road proved dangerous with run offs into stone walls and steel barriers; it was a little uncomfortable, the cruise control was quickly disengaged and the gearbox shifted to manual as traffic speed was too inconsistent.

After the 10-15 minutes of sweeping bends the road widened again and unveiled a picturesque landscape. Trees and wide meandering rivers covered the land as far as the eye could see. The bridges used to cross these wide rivers were classic Americana, finished in red they looked like they had been designed in the 1800’s and had stood the test of time.

Life was easy, the cruise control was set now to 65 and the Kia once again set into its stride, until the dreaded toilet break was required: A quick stop off the Taconic to the closest “gas” station quickly resolved the situation! While in the gas station the purchase of some beef jerky was a necessity as all American road trips require this, (top tip: never try beef jerky it’s absolutely awful and left a dreadful smell in the Kia). Soon after due to the rural location of our whereabouts the phones lost signal which meant the sat nav failed to work and the Kia found itself landed in a small rural town named Hopewell. With no locals to be seen due to it being the 4th of July discovering the way back on track was impossible; then for a brief moment the sat nav rebooted and we were back on course using the backroads to guide us to our destination.

Memories of his beef jerky on the road to Poughkeepsie

I am somewhat happy the sat nav failed as what was unveiled was absolutely incredible, the farmland and the rural housing with the mailboxes out front, the wooden porches with the rocking chairs and the American flags flying proudly at the forefront of each house. The white picket fence at the end of each driveway with outrageously large “trucks” parked up – it was a sight I thought was only something dreamed about in movies.

strange sight for the Irish – no diesel at the pumps!

The difference between the city and the more rural areas is something to behold and I urge anyone travelling to the USA or planning to, to rent a car and discover the country from behind the wheel as it is another experience altogether. You can read numerous blogs and posts about driving in the US (good and bad), however, there is only one way to fully experience it and that is from behind the wheel. Try it you will not regret it.

]]>62881Finance Levels Way Up as PCPs expire and hit the markethttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/07/finance-levels-way-pcps-expire-hit-market/
Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:17:04 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=62821Vehicle data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (24th July) that the proportion of vehicles offered for sale (across all years) with finance outstanding is 12.5% – up from 11.5% in January and 9.5% in June 2016. Cartell.ie also reports that more vehicles for certain key registration years are being offered for sale with finance outstanding than […]

]]>Vehicle data expert CARTELL.IE reports today (24th July) that the proportion of vehicles offered for sale (across all years) with finance outstanding is 12.5% – up from 11.5% in January and 9.5% in June 2016. Cartell.ie also reports that more vehicles for certain key registration years are being offered for sale with finance outstanding than in 2016. From a sample of over 5,906 vehicles offered for sale and checked via the Cartell.ie website so far in 2017, the figures show that more than one third of vehicles registered in the last three years are offered for sale with finance outstanding.

In the case of one-year-old vehicles (2016) the levels of vehicles offered for sale with finance outstanding has risen from 31.58% for the full year 2016 to 36.83% so far in 2017 – representing an increase of 16.62%. This means there is now almost a two-in-five chance of a one-year-old vehicle being offered for sale with finance outstanding.

Similarly in the case of two-year-old vehicles (2015) there is a 32.64% chance of a vehicle being offered for sale with finance outstanding based on checks on Cartell.ie in 2017.

Statistics published by Cartell.ie indicate that buyers have a one-in-three chance (33%) of purchasing a three-year-old vehicle (2014) with finance outstanding. Even older vehicles are regularly offered for sale with finance outstanding – 8.97% of all 2010 registered vehicles offered for sale had outstanding finance against them.

John Byrne, Cartell.ie, says:

33% of all three-year-old vehicles (2014) checked so far this year on Cartell.ie have finance outstanding. This is up from 26.8% of three-year-old vehicles (2013) checked last year on the site. The rise is probably due to expiring PCPs where owners are testing the market to see if they can return a higher price than the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV) guaranteed by the dealer.

What’s really concerning is that 34% of all vehicles registered in the last three years are offered for sale with finance outstanding.

In terms of the overall picture 12.5% of all vehicles checked with Cartell.ie so far in 2017 have finance outstanding. This is up from 11.5% in January and 9.5% in June 2016. These are very significant jumps. A buyer is advised to check a vehicle for outstanding finance as the finance house owns the vehicle until the last payment has been made – the bottom line is that you can lose the vehicle.”

ENDS

About Cartell.ie

Cartell.ie was set up in 2006 to help buyers make an informed choice when buying a used vehicle – including imported vehicles – by providing a user-friendly and cost-effective vehicle data checking service. Cartell.ie is a totally independent company and fully Irish owned.

]]>62821Consumer Advice to avoid purchasing a Stolen Vehiclehttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/07/consumer-advice-to-avoid-purchasing-a-stolen-vehicle/
Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:22:58 +0000http://www.cartell.ie/?p=29191 Consumers are probably already aware of the extensive work vehicle history check expert Cartell.ie has put into highlighting the issue of stolen motor vehicle data. At present in Ireland Gardai do not release this data owing to Data Protection concerns. We have called for its release – in the public interest – for several years […]

While stolen vehicle data has not been released there are things you can do to better protect yourself. Here is the advice from Cartell.ie:

1. You should always verify the Chassis Number (VIN).

The VIN is a 17 digit number composed of numbers and letters which you can find stamped into the chassis of the vehicle. After completing your Cartell check you can verify the VIN in either of two ways: (i) by ringing us on the usual number: Lo-call: 1890 252331; or (ii) by going to the Cartell.ie homepage and clicking “Get a Cartell Check” and then click “report verification” and follow the instructions. Those registered with a trade account will have access to the VIN via their Cartell trade report. You are verifying the VIN to help rule out the possibility that the vehicle is carrying fake registration plates.

Other Info: If in doubt about where to locate the VIN number try an internet search for your make and model asking the question “where does VIN appear for X Make Model”?Remember a VIN never contains the letter “O” – only zeros. Always locate the VIN where it is stamped into the chassis NOT where it is etched on a window or on a sticker. If it looks like the chassis number has been tampered with, e.g. metal shavings or scratches, then you are right to be cautious.

2. Verify the VRC number

The Vehicle Registration Certificate number (VRC) is the official government ownership document for the vehicle. You should always verify the number on this document with Cartell before purchase. You can verify the number using either of the two methods indicated above. Verification of the VRC assists in ruling out a falsified VRC.

3. Verify the ID of the seller

You should ask to see the official ID of the seller, passport or drivers licence. You should compare the photo on the ID to the person you are dealing with – and we never advise transacting with anyone other than the owner. You should also verify the address on the ID with the address on the VRC. You may wish to ask for a utility bill as further proof of address of seller. A private buyer should look to conduct the sale in the sellers home, so the address can be verified, and never in a carpark.

If you follow this three-step process you have reduced your risk of buying a stolen vehicle.

]]>29191Public and Trade warned of new Write-Off system in UKhttps://www.cartell.ie/2017/06/public-trade-warned-new-write-off-system-uk/
Wed, 21 Jun 2017 07:30:11 +0000https://www.cartell.ie/?p=62521PRESS RELEASE IMPORTING A USED CAR? Vehicle History experts Cartell.ie report today (Wednesday 21st June) the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in the UK are no longer using Category C and Category D vehicle write-off classification in their new Voluntary Code of Practice (COP) for the industry. Following a long review the new system will […]

IMPORTING A USED CAR?

Vehicle History experts Cartell.ie report today (Wednesday 21st June) the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in the UK are no longer using Category C and Category D vehicle write-off classification in their new Voluntary Code of Practice (COP) for the industry.

Following a long review the new system will retain the same Category A and Category B categorisations. However Category C and Category D designations will no longer be used. The new system will focus on first establishing the level of damage to a vehicle from a technical perspective, before making any commercial decision relating to the Pre-Accident Value (PAV) of the vehicle. This has huge consequences for an Irish buyer as the level of damage sustained will now be more evident. The new categorisation system will be as follows:

Category A Scrap– This vehicle is deemed not suitable to be repaired. Must be crushed without any parts being removed.

Category B Break – The vehicle is deemed not suitable to be repaired. Usable parts can be recycled.

Category S: Structural Repairable – Repairable vehicle which has sustained damage to any part of the structural frame or chassis and the insurer/ self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle.

Category N: Non-Structural Repairable – Repairable vehicle which has not sustained damage to the structural frame or chassis and the insurer/ self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle.

Source: ABI COP for Motor Vehicle Salvage June 2017

These changes have been made to standardise the codes by the level of damage sustained rather than by repair cost. Structural damage is described as repairable damage to the vehicle that affects the main welded or otherwise permanently assembled vehicle body.

Further, from October 2019, salvaged vehicles can only be categorised by an Appropriately Qualified Person (AQP).

Ireland has not Regulated for Written-Off Vehicles

Ireland has not yet regulated for written-off vehicles. In July 2016 it was reported in the media that Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, brought legislation to cabinet which would compel insurers to notify his Department of Category A and Category B write-offs.

John Byrne Legal & Public Relations Manager with Cartell.ie says:

It’s welcoming to see how seriously the ABI are taking the issue of write-offs which are deemed repairable and can return to the roads in the UK: they are moving the focus away from the Pre-Accident Value of the vehicle and looking instead at the damage caused: whether its structural or non-structural. In Ireland there are currently moves to regulate for the more serious write-off categories, Category A and Category B, which can never return to the roads, but we should be looking at these UK moves. Always do a car history check when importing a used car.”

In May 2016, in the wake of an RTE Prime Time investigates programme, Cartell.ie released figures which showed that 10.75% of all UK imports into Ireland in a 6-month period in 2015 had been written-off in the UK prior to import and taxation of the vehicle in Ireland. Of those 1,545 vehicles (59.42%) had been categorised as Cat D in the UK and 980 as Category C (37.69%).

At present a voluntary system of notification is in place but for years Cartell.ie has called for regulation which will place the procedure on a statutory footing.

Cartell set up the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) which records written-off vehicles. You can check MIAFTR via a Cartell Car Check.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The current, soon to be defunct, ABI system divides insurance write-offs essentially into 4 categories:

Category A: Scrap only – The vehicle has not been repaired following extreme damage. It was deemed too damaged to be repairable with little or no salvageable parts.

Category B: The bodyshell should have been crushed. The vehicle has not been repaired following significant damage. It was deemed too damaged to be repairable however did have salvageable parts.

Category C: This vehicle was repairable, but the repair costs exceeded the Pre-Accident Value (PAV) of the vehicle. The insurer chose not to repair for economic reasons.

Category D: This vehicle was repairable, but while the repair costs were significant compared to the PAV of the vehicle the costs did not exceed the PAV. The insurer chose not to repair for economic reasons.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motor Vehicle Salvage (COP) was introduced in March 2007 as a voluntary code to assess whether a damaged car can be repaired or salvaged for parts, or whether it should be destroyed.

In 2015 an extensive review of the COP was initiated involving multiple stakeholders including insurers, vehicle manufacturers, affected government departments and agencies, the Police, the vehicle leasing industry and the salvage industry.

The new Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motor Vehicle Salvage applies from 1st October 2017

For further information please contact John Byrne (Cartell.ie) on + 087 4199018 or email john@cartell dot ie or check out www.cartell.ie for further information